World quantum gravity: Quantum test objects and Synge's world function

Abstract: A new path integral approach of quantum gravity based on relational variables and quantum test objects is presented. We take as a basic variables the squared invariant distance. This invariant quantity is technically simpler to work with than variant quantities such as the metric tensor. It also facilitates the studies of matter coupling and quantum spacetime causal structures. In contrast to approaches based on piecewise linear geometries, here gravity is captured by its effects on quantum test particles and fields. By an observation of Parker, under a Feynman sum a gravitational phase can be traded into a Van Vleck-Morette determinant term. This leads to a new candidate path integral for gravity, which can potentially be computed efficient in the Lorentzian signature. We discuss some ambiguities left in the path integral measure, which invite further clarifications.