New quantum framework sees gravity emerge from spacetime symmetries
The study addresses the biggest challenge with a theory of quantum gravity—renormalization, by introducing a new mathematical quantity.
A unified theory of everything has long eluded scientists due to gravity being irreconcilable with the three other fundamental forces (electromagnetic, weak, and strong) described using quantum field theory (QFT).
The fundamental discrepancy between the unification lies in how the two theories are described. The gravitational field—described by Einstein’s theory of general relativity—is a manifestation of the very fabric of reality, spacetime.
On the other hand, the Standard Model uses principles of QFT to describe the electromagnetic, weak, and strong fields.
However, the fundamental difference is that these quantum fields are defined on spacetime. This means they exist as fields throughout spacetime, with a value associated with every point in it.
Thus, reconciling the two remains a gruelling challenge for scientists. Aalto University scientists have proposed a fresh perspective on gravity designed to integrate gravitational theory with the Standard Model.