Quantum Einstein gravity as a topological field theory

Abstract

General covariance in quantum gravity is seen once one integrates over all possible metrics. In recent years topological field theories have given us a different route to general covariance without integrating over all possible metrics. Here we argue that Einstein quantum gravity may be viewed of as a topological field theory as long as a certain constraint from the path integral measure is satisfied.

Topology, quantum gravity and particle physics

“…An approach along these lines was attempted in [9]. Here, it was argued that quantum Einstein gravity, when coupled to appropriate fields, has an interpretation as a topological field theory.…”

“…The approach in [9] was in the second order formalism. We now wish to perform a similar analysis in the first order formalism since in this approach the theory is more like a gauge theory and we wish to include fermionic matter.…”