Talk by Professor Sumati Surya, Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, India at QASTM seminar
Channel: Sayantan Choudhury
Date: 2021-07-05

Title: Geometry from Order: The Causal Set Approach to Quantum Gravity

Abstract: I will give an overview of causal set theory (CST) which is a discrete approach to quantum gravity. It is motivated by theorems in Lorentzian geometry which state that the causal structure poset is equivalent to the conformal geometry of a distinguishing spacetime. In CST, an ensemble of locally finite partially ordered sets (causal sets) replaces the spacetime continuum, with the latter arising as an approximation rather than a limit of the underlying discrete substructure. The continuum-discrete correspondence is defined using a random discretisation. While this preserves local Lorentz invariance, CST leads to a "non-locality" which distinguishes it from other approaches in an essential way. I will review some of the main results in the theory and the challenges ahead.

Speaker: Professor Sumati Surya, Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, India.

Date and Time: 5 th July, 6.30 PM to 9 PM (Indian Time) and 3 PM to 5.30 PM (Berlin Time).

Zoominar link: https://mpi-aei.zoom.us/j/97623339163

Contact: Dr. Sayantan Choudhury (sayantan.choudhury@niser.ac.in)