Low energy quantum gravity
Abstract
This thesis investigates two very different aspects of quantum gravity. In the first and main section, we examine the question of quantum gravitational contributions to the running of a coupling parameter alongside the various problems and issues that this raises. We treat quantum gravity as an effective field theory and use perturbative methods to address issues. Specifically, we look at a λφ4-type scalar coupling. In a gauge-invariant way, we consider a non-minimally coupled, massive scalar field, with non-constant background, in the presence of a cosmological constant and contrary to most of the literature, we also calculate all derivative terms. An effective action is constructed, renormalization counterterms calculated, and we find that, within certain bounds, gravity leads to asymptotic freedom of scalar field theory. Furthermore, we investigate whether considering quadratic divergences in gravitational calculations can tell us anything useful. In this case we find non-vanishing quadratic divergences. However, we also recognise the possibility that quadratic divergences are somewhat of a red herring and that by suitable field redefinitions, we can eliminate these from our calculations. The second section of the thesis addresses the possibility of superfluidity in a quark gluon plasma. We use the framework of AdS/CFT, with knowledge of black hole thermodynamics, to consider the duality between a black hole in anti-de Sitter space and a fluid existing on the boundary.…
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