Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Half-integral spin from quantum gravity

  • Research Articles
  • Published:
General Relativity and Gravitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

For a certain class of three-manifolds, the angular momentum of an asymptotically flat quantum gravitational field can have half-integral values. In the absence of a full theory of quantum gravity, this result relies on a set of apparently natural assumptions governing the kinematics of such a theory. A key feature is that state vectors are in general invariant only under asymptotically trivial diffeomorphisms that can be continuously deformed to the identity. Angular momentum is associated with diffeomorphisms that look asymptotically like rotations; and the question of whether half-integral values occur depends on whether the diffeomorphism associated with a 2π rotation is itself deformable to the identity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Trautman, A. (1965). InLectures on General Relativity (Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Wess, J., and Zumino, B. (1974).Nucl. Phys. B,70, 39.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Wheeler, J. A. (1968). InBattelles Recontres: 1967 Lectures in Mathematics and Physics, eds. C. DeWitt and J. A. Wheeler (W. A. Benjamin, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Finkelstein, D., and Misner, C. (1959).Ann. Phys. (N. Y.).,6, 230.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Williams, J. G. (1971).J. Math. Phys.,12, 308; Williams, J. G., and Zvengrowski, P. (1977).Int. J. Theor. Phys.,16, 756.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Jackiw, R., and Rebbi, C. (1976).Phys. Rev. Lett.,36, 1116; Hasenfratz, P., and 't Hooft, G. (1976).Phys. Rev. Lett.,36, 1119.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Friedman, J. L., and Sorkin, R. D. (1980).Phys. Rev. Lett.,44, 1100.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Higgs, P. W. (1958).Phys. Rev. Lett.,1, 373.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Jackiw, R. (1980).Rev. Mod. Phys.,52, 661.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hendricks, H. (1977).Bull. Soc. Math. France, Memoire,53, 81; see §4.3.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Barut, A. O. (1974).Phys. Rev. D,10, 2712; Goldhaber, A. S., (1976).Phys. Rev. Lett.,36, 1122; Tolkachev, E. A., and Tomil'chik, L. M. (1979).Phys. Lett.,818, 173; Friedman, J. L., and Sorkin, R. D. (1980).Commun. Math. Phys.,73, 161.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Friedman, J. L., and Sorkin, R. D. to be published.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, University of Wisconsin, 53201, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    John L. Friedman

  2. Institute for Advanced Study, 08540, Princeton, New Jersey

    Rafael D. Sorkin

Authors
  1. John L. Friedman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rafael D. Sorkin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This essay received the fourth award from the Gravity Research Foundation for the year 1981-Ed.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Friedman, J.L., Sorkin, R.D. Half-integral spin from quantum gravity. Gen Relat Gravit 14, 615–620 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00761452

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00761452

Keywords

Search

Navigation