Award-Winning EssaysNo Access

Spontaneous dimensional reduction in quantum gravity

S. Carlip

Department of Physics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA

E-mail Address: carlip@physics.ucdavis.edu

https://doi.org/10.1142/S0218271816430033Cited by:16 (Source: Crossref)

Abstract

Hints from a number of different approaches to quantum gravity point to a phenomenon of “spontaneous dimensional reduction” to two spacetime dimensions near the Planck scale. I examine the physical meaning of the term “dimension” in this context, summarize the evidence for dimensional reduction, and discuss possible physical explanations.

This essay is awarded third prize in the 2016 Essay Competition of the Gravity Research Foundation.

Keywords:

PACS: 04.60.−m, 06.30.Bp

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