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LOOPS 13

Conference Date: 
Monday, July 22, 2013 (All day) to Friday, July 26, 2013 (All day)
Scientific Areas: 
Quantum Gravity

Support for this conference is provided by The Templeton Frontiers Program.

Quantum gravity aims at unifying Einstein's vision of space-time as a dynamical object with the realization that fundamental physics and hence space-time has to be quantum. This opens up a large variety of research questions and directions, which range from foundational physical issues having to do with the nature of space and time, to current searches for experimental signatures of quantum spacetime.

This conference, which is part of the series of Loops conferences, will present and review recent progress and highlights in loop quantum gravity and other quantum gravity approaches. We will focus mainly on background independent approaches which are approaches that do not depend on perturbation theory formulated in a classical background.

Plenary talks will highlight the most important recent developments in quantum gravity research. Afternoon (parallel) sessions are open to contributed talks and will be focussed on particular topics or subfields and give room for discussions, exchange of ideas and a critical assessment of open questions.

The conference will bring quantum gravity researchers from all over the world together and we also hope to share the excitement of quantum gravity research with participants from other research fields.

Previous conferences in this series were:

To register for this conference, please click here.

Due to overwhelming response, registration for this conference will close on Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Sponsorship for this conference has been provided by:

  • Ivan Agullo, DAMPT Cambridge
  • Abhay Ashtekar, Pennsylvania State University
  • Aurelien Barrau, Universite Joseph Fourier
  • Eugenio Bianchi, Perimeter Institute
  • Steve Carlip, University of California, Davis
  • Fay Dowker, Imperial College, London
  • Henrique de Andrade Gomes, University of California, Davis
  • Dafne Guetta, ORT-Braude College & INAF-OAR
  • Razvan Gurau, Université Paris-Sud
  • Frank Hellmann, Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics
  • Viqar Husain, University of New Brunswick
  • Kirill Krasnov, University of Nottingham
  • Etera Livine, Ens de Lyon
  • Alejandro Perez, Centre de Physique Theorique
  • Vincent Rivasseau, Universite Paris-Sud XI Orsay
  • Carlo Rovelli, Le Centre de Physique Théorique
  • David Skinner, DAMPT Cambridge, IAS
  • Bill Unruh, University of British Columbia
  • Madhavan Varadarajan, Raman Research Institute

More speakers to be announced.

Details to come.

Aurelien Barrau, Universite Joseph Fourier

 

Some possible ways to observe consequences of loop quantum gravity

 

In this talk, I'll briefly review some possible observational consequences of loop quantum gravity. I will first address the issue of the closure of the algebra of constraints in holonomy-corrected effective loop quantum cosmology for tensor, vector, and scalar modes. I will underline some unexpected features like a possible change of signature. The associated primordial power spectrum and the basics of the related CMB analysis will be presented. The "asymptotic silence" hypothesis will be mentioned as a promising alternative. Then, I'll address the issue of the probability for inflation and the prediction of its duration from a new perspective. Finally, I'll present some prospect about the evaporation of black holes in LQG.

Dafne Guetta, ORT-Braude College & INAF-OAR

 

Quantum Gravity Phenomenology with Neutrinos and high energy photons.

 

I review the main properties of the Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) as possible sources of high energy (E>TeV) neutrinos and confirmed sources of high energy (E>GeV) photons.

I discuss the possibility to use the data of neutrino telescopes, such as IceCube and the GeV-photon telescopes, such as Fermi’s LAT, for precision tests of Einstein's Special Relativity as applied to neutrinos and photons. My focus is on possible departures from Special Relativity that can be motivated by models of quantum space-time. I observe that neutrinos which one would not associate to a GRB, when assuming a classical spacetime picture, may well be GRB neutrinos if the possibility that Lorentz invariance is broken at very high energies is taken into account. I outline how future analyses of neutrino data should be done in order to systematically test the Lorentz Invariance Violation possibility. In addition I consider the possibility that Lorentz Invariance Violation might be responsible for the spectral lags that characterize the GeV signal observed for the remarkable GRB130427A.

A comparison of these features for GRBs at different redshifts provides

some encouragement for a redshift dependence of the effects of the type expected for a quantum-spacetime interpretation, but other aspects of the analysis appear to invite the interpretation as intrinsic properties of GRBs.

Madhavan Varadarajan, Raman Research Institute

 

Towards a Consistent Quantum Dynamics for Euclidean LQG: a weak coupling limit

 

Spacetime covariance in canonical quantum gravity is tied to the existence of an anomaly free representation of its constraint algebra.  I will argue that establishing the existence of such a  representation  in the LQG context requires the consideration of   higher than unit density  weight Hamiltonian constraints. Smolin's weak coupling limit of Euclidean gravity, while simpler than full blown gravity , still exhibits an open constraint algebra isomorphic to that of gravity and offers an ideal testing ground for the investigation of the quantum constraint algebra of such higher density constraints. I will report on recent progress on this issue in the context of an LQG type quantization of this system. Certain features of the constructions such as the encoding of the action of the  quantum constraint in terms of operator valued diffeomorphisms may play a key role in the definition of a consistent quantum dynamics for LQG.

* Guest Speakers: Ground transportation arrangements will be made on your behalf and instructions sent prior to your arrival.

If you need transportation while attending the conference, we offer suggestions below. If flying, we suggest that you book your flight to arrive atToronto International Airport (YYZ) or the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF).

Boulevard Limousine (estimated travel time 1hr)

The fare for Boulevard Limousine for one passenger is $118.00 to the Toronto Airport.  The fare for one passenger from the Toronto Airport to Waterloo is $133.00.  To make reservations, please visit their website or call 519-886-8090.

Airways Transit (estimated travel time 1hr)

Airways Transit connects Toronto (Pearson), Hamilton (Munro), and Region of Waterloo International Airports with the Kitchener-Waterloo area by providing 24 hour shared ride door-to-door service.

For Toronto Pearson airport we have obtained a reduced conference fare of $58.00 per person, one way, tax included. To receive the reduced fare you must book in advance and identify yourself as a LOOPS 13 delegate.

To make reservations online:

http://conferences.airwaystransit.com  Enter booking code LOOPS 13 (enter exactly as shown)

By phone 24 hours: 519-886-2121  Please identify yourself as a LOOPS 13 delegate.

0001 Toronto Cabs (estimated travel time 1hr) 

Fixed $190.00 rate for one-way: Toronto International Airport to Waterloo. Call 416-809-5656.

Waterloo Taxi (estimated travel time 1hr) 

Fixed $76.50 rate for one-way: Waterloo to Toronto International Airport. Call 519-886-1200. 

Note: One or more passengers can split this $90.00 flat rate.

Car Rentals

Upon arrival in any of the terminals at Pearson International Airport there are a number of car rental agencies to choose from. Their booths are located on the arrivals level. The cost of a car rental is dependent upon the type of vehicle you would like and the length of the stay.

Driving Directions

- From the airport, follow signs for Highway 427 South/Highway 401.  

- Continue to follow signs for Highway 401 West - London.  

- Proceed West on Highway 401.  

- Exit Highway 401 at Highway 8 West.  

- Take exit 278 (Highway 8 West) and follow 8 West for 5 km to Highway 85, towards Highway 7 East. 

- Proceed on Highway 85 for 5 km to Bridgeport Road exit. Turn right at the off-ramp, traveling west.  

- Follow Bridgeport Road for 2 km into downtown Waterloo.  

- Bridgeport is a four-lane one-way road. It becomes Caroline Street at Albert Street. Continue straight ahead.  

- Travel forward another 200 metres, but ease over into the right-hand lane. As you go down a hill and around a curve, look for the green Perimeter Institute sign on the right hand side. The parking lot entrance is just after the sign (past the historic grist mill that sits on the edge of Silver Lake).  

- Turn right into the PI parking lot entrance.

If you are planning on driving to PI, please arrive 20 minutes early to allow time for you to obtain a short-term parking pass from reception and to park your car in the appropriate lot. This short-term pass will allow you to park for the duration of the conference at the Bauer Parking lot on Father David Bauer Drive across the street from the Waterloo Recreation Complex.

* Guest Speakers: Accommodation arrangements will be made on your behalf and instructions sent prior to your arrival.

If you need accommodations while attending the conference, we offer suggestions for lodging below.

Waterloo Hotel

2 King Street North

Waterloo, ON N2J 2W7 

Phone: 519-885-2626 

Distance from PI: 400 m 

Hotel Laurier

200 King Street North

Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5

Reservation line:  1-519-884-0710

Reservation email:  hotel@wlu.ca

Distance from PI:  1.2 km

Waterloo Inn

475 King Street North

Waterloo, ON N2J 2Z5 

Reservation line: 1-800-361-4708

Reservation e-mail: reserve@waterlooinn.com

Distance from PI: 3 km

University of Waterloo Conference Center (Ron Eydt Village)

University of Waterloo

200 University Avenue West, Ron Eydt Village

Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 

Phone: 519-884-5400

Toll Free: 1-800-565-5410

Email: accombook@uwaterloo.ca

Distance from PI: 3 km

Walper Terrace Hotel

1 King Street West

Kitchener, ON N2G 1A1 

Phone: 519-745-4321

Distance from PI: 4 km

Courtyard by Marriott

50 Benjamin Road East

St. Jacobs, ON N2V 2J9 

Phone: 519-884-9295

Distance from PI: 5.6 km

  • Joseph Ben Geloun, Perimeter Institute
  • Eugenio Bianchi, Perimeter Institute
  • Valentin Bonzom, Perimeter Institute
  • Bianca Dittrich, Perimeter Institute
  • Astrid Eichhorn, Perimeter Institute
  • Cecilia Flori, Perimeter Institute
  • Laurent Freidel, Perimeter Institute
  • Steffen Gielen, Perimeter Institute
  • Florian Girelli, Perimeter Institute
  • Philipp Hoehn, Perimeter Institute
  • Mercedes Martin-Benito, Perimeter Institute
  • Flavio Mercati, Perimeter Institute
  • Lee Smolin, Perimeter Institute
  • Giovanni Amelino-Camelia,  University of Rome
  • Abhay Ashtekar, Pennsylvania State University
  • Fernando Barbero, Instituto de Estructura de la Materia
  • John Barrett, University of Nottingham
  • James Bjorken, SLAC
  • Martin Bojowald, Pennsylvania State University
  • Robert Brandenberger, McGill University
  • Alejandro Corichi, Pennsylvania State University
  • Fay Dowker, Imperial College, London
  • Rodolfo Gambini, Instituto de Fisica Facultad de Ciendias
  • Steve Giddings, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Viqar  Husain, University of New Brunswick
  • Ted Jacobson, University of Maryland
  • Kirill Krasnov, University of Nottingham
  • Jerzy Lewandowski, University of Warsaw
  • Stefano Liberati, SISSA
  • Etera Livine, Ens de Lyon
  • Renate Loll, Radbud University
  • Yongge Ma, Beijing Normal University
  • Joao Magueijo, Imperial College, London
  • Alex Maloney, McGill University
  • Matilde Marcolli, California Institute of Technology
  • Guillermo Mena, Instituto de Estructura de la Materia
  • Djordje Minic, Virginia Tech
  • Daniele Oriti, Albert Einstein Institute
  • Roberto Percacci, SISSA
  • Alejandro Perez, Centre de Physique Theorique
  • Jorge Pullin, Lousiana State University
  • Martin Reuter, Johannes Gutenberg Universitat
  • Vincent Rivasseau, Laboratoire de Physique Théorique d'Orsay
  • Carlo Rovelli, Centre de Physique Theorique
  • Thomas Thiemann, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg
  • William Unruh, University of British Columbia

A Shift in Time featuring the TorQ Percussion Quartet

Thursday, July 25th @ 7:30pm

Mike Lazaridis Theatre, Perimeter Institute

Loops 13 features a unique concert opportunity that integrates art with science. This musical presentation reveals a special duality between quantum gravity and sound featuring the talents of the TorQ Percussion Quartet.

TorQ’s program “A Shift in Time” examines the phenomenon of time and space in a rhythmic paradigm. Each piece explores a specific music compositional device and variations surrounding it, including metric modulation, phasing, spatial aural spectra, and acoustic delay. During the conference period the TorQ Percussion Quartet will engage with our delegates and PI community and these interactions will provide inspiration for improvisational pieces for the upcoming concert.

Don't miss out on this fantastic event, an evening of percussion mastery presented by the TorQ Percussion Quartet, featuring sounds from the driving rhythms of wood to the Doppler pulsations of metallic keyboard instruments. Reserve your ticket now

For Tickets visit: https://perimeterinstitute.ca/conferences/

For more information on TorQ visit: http://www.torqpercussion.ca/

For a sample of their performance, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2AnGfFhUcg

All participants of the Loops 13 conference are encouraged to dine in Perimeter Institute’s Black Hole Bistro.  The following events have been scheduled for your enjoyment.

Monday, July 22

A pub style buffet will be available serving the following items:

• Grilled Canadian Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich on Toasted Onion Seed Soft Roll $6
• Fish Taco, Cornmeal Crusted Perch, Asian Slaw, Thai Chili Sauce $6
• Smoked Tempeh Bacon Poutine, Miso Gravy $5
• Grilled Ontario Corn and Potato salad $4
• Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bar $4
• Cash Bar

This opening night event will coincide with the poster session taking place in the Atrium

Wednesday, July 24

Conference BBQ.  Please come join your fellow conference participants in the bistro for dinner.  There is no charge to attend this dinner.

Thursday, July 25

A reception will take place immediately following the TorQ Percussion Quartet concert.  Concert attendees may enjoy a beverage and light snacks after the performance.  There is no charge to attend the reception.
 

Organizers: 
Bianca Dittrich
Laurent Freidel
Lee Smolin