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Phys. Rev. D 19, 2336–2348 (1979)

Quantizing space-time

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J. G. Taylor
Department of Mathematics, King's College, London

Received 5 June 1978; published in the issue dated 15 April 1979

We outline a theory of space-time based on quantum mechanics and general covariance. The universe is assumed to be constructed from a non-affinely-connected differentiable manifold and acts as the arena for the dynamical forms which can be supported by it. There are only a restricted set of such forms, corresponding to particles of spin up to 2, and only a restricted set of particle symmetries [octonions combined with de Sitter symmetry broken to O(4)]. Quantum mechanics is fomulated covariantly by the functional integral method, and space and time as usually experienced is reconstructed by the classical limit of h→0. The conclusion is drawn that neither space nor time themselves can be regarded as fundamental.

© 1979 The American Physical Society

URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevD.19.2336
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevD.19.2336