Closing the gaps in quantum space and time: Conformally augmented gauge structure of gravitation

Understand

A new framework of loop quantization that assimilates conformal and scale invariance is constructed and is found to be applicable to a large class of physically important theories of gravity and gravity-matter systems.

• They include general relativity and scale-invariant scalar-tensor and dilaton theories.
• Consequently, matter to be coupled to such theories is restricted to be conformal or scale invariant.
• Standard model-type systems naturally fall into this category.