Connected Geometries in Gravitational Path Integrals, and Normalized No-Boundary Probabilities
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We argue that some of the puzzling features associated with the normalization of gravitational wave functions can be substantially alleviated by restricting the path integral to a sum over connected, allowable geometries. This prescription gives sensible results when applied to classical transitions and it provides non-trivial no-boundary probabilities, in line with old expectations. We highlight the additional impact of both boundary conditions and integration contours on these issues.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Author: Lehners, Jean-Luc
Institution: Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7221046758