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On the quantum field theory of the gravitational interactions

Canonical reference. 80% of citing Pith papers cite this work as background.

8 Pith papers citing it
Background 80% of classified citations
abstract

We study the main options for a unitary and renormalizable, local quantum field theory of the gravitational interactions. The first model is a Lee-Wick superrenormalizable higher-derivative gravity, formulated as a nonanalytically Wick rotated Euclidean theory. We show that, under certain conditions, the $S$ matrix is unitary when the cosmological constant vanishes. The model is the simplest of its class. However, infinitely many similar options are allowed, which raises the issue of uniqueness. To deal with this problem, we propose a new quantization prescription, by doubling the unphysical poles of the higher-derivative propagators and turning them into Lee-Wick poles. The Lagrangian of the simplest theory of quantum gravity based on this idea is the linear combination of $R$, $R_{\mu \nu }R^{\mu \nu }$, $R^{2}$ and the cosmological term. Only the graviton propagates in the cutting equations and, when the cosmological constant vanishes, the $S$ matrix is unitary. The theory satisfies the locality of counterterms and is renormalizable by power counting. It is unique in the sense that it is the only one with a dimensionless gauge coupling.

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2026 8

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representative citing papers

Fractions and Fakeons in Quantum Field Theory

hep-th · 2026-04-25 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

Fractional powers in QFT kinetic terms can be consistently formulated in Minkowski space using fakeon methods, yielding multiple inequivalent theories that match in Euclidean space, with standard identities preserved.

On Causality and Predictivity

gr-qc · 2026-01-09 · unverdicted · novelty 3.0

Causality is a misleading metaphysical concept that should be abandoned in fundamental physics, making renouncing microcausality acceptable for consistent quantum gravity theories such as those using fakeons.

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Showing 7 of 7 citing papers after filters.

  • Acausal exact vacuum solutions in nonlocal gravity gr-qc · 2026-05-02 · unverdicted · none · ref 25

    A subclass of Gödel universes with closed timelike curves are exact vacuum solutions in nonlocal gravity for special nonlocal form factors.

  • Fractions and Fakeons in Quantum Field Theory hep-th · 2026-04-25 · unverdicted · none · ref 19

    Fractional powers in QFT kinetic terms can be consistently formulated in Minkowski space using fakeon methods, yielding multiple inequivalent theories that match in Euclidean space, with standard identities preserved.

  • AI--Assisted Exploration: DHOST Theories without Quantum Ghosts astro-ph.CO · 2026-04-16 · unverdicted · none · ref 39

    In DHOST theories with Gauss-Bonnet and Weyl operators, gauge symmetry invariance conditions are identical to Hamiltonian constraints eliminating ghosts.

  • Scattering amplitudes in dimensionless quadratic gravity coupled to QED hep-th · 2026-03-05 · unverdicted · none · ref 22 · internal anchor

    Tree-level amplitudes in agravity-coupled QED produce differential cross sections scaling universally as dσ/dΩ ∝ 1/s at ultra-Planckian energies across multiple channels.

  • Extrinsic geometry and Hamiltonian analysis of symmetric teleparallel gravity gr-qc · 2026-04-21 · unverdicted · none · ref 51

    Symmetric teleparallel gravity has the same number of degrees of freedom as general relativity, confirmed via its Hamiltonian formulation after deriving generalized extrinsic geometry relations.

  • Review of strongly coupled regimes in gravity with Dyson-Schwinger approach gr-qc · 2026-03-24 · unverdicted · none · ref 20 · internal anchor

    Dyson-Schwinger methods applied to gravity theories produce conformally flat metrics and a sequence of cosmological phase transitions from conformal symmetry breaking that non-minimal scalar couplings can suppress.

  • On Causality and Predictivity gr-qc · 2026-01-09 · unverdicted · none · ref 2 · internal anchor

    Causality is a misleading metaphysical concept that should be abandoned in fundamental physics, making renouncing microcausality acceptable for consistent quantum gravity theories such as those using fakeons.