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SUMMARY:Spin systems as toy models for emergent gravity - Fotini Markopoul
 ou\, Perimeter Institute
DTSTART:20110311T150000Z
DTEND:20110311T160000Z
UID:TALK29981@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:David Kubiznak
DESCRIPTION:A number of recent proposals for a quantum theory of gravity a
 re based on the idea that spacetime geometry and gravity are derivative co
 ncepts and only apply at an approximate level.  There are two fundamental 
 challenges to any such approach. At the conceptual level\, there is a clas
 h between the "timelessness"\nof general relativity and emergence. Second\
 , the lack of a fundamental spacetime makes difficult the straightforward 
 application of well-known methods of statistical physics to the problem.  
 We initiate a study of such problems using toy models for emergent geometr
 y and gravity based on evolution of quantum networks with no a priori geom
 etric notions.\n\nIn this talk we present two models.  The first is a mode
 l of emergent (flat) space and matter and we show how to use methods from 
 quantum information theory\nto derive features such as speed of light from
  a non-geometric quantum system. The second model exhibits interacting mat
 ter and geometry\, with the geometry defined by the behavior of matter. Th
 is model has primitive notions of gravitational attraction\, and exhibits 
 entanglement between matter and geometry and thermalization of the quantum
  geometry.
LOCATION:Pavilion B\, MR11
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