Zero-point length from string fluctuations

Fontanini, Michele ; Spallucci, Euro ; Padmanabhan, T. (2006) Zero-point length from string fluctuations Physics Letters B: Nuclear Physics and Particle Physics, 633 (4-5). pp. 627-630. ISSN 0370-2693

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Official URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S03702...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2005.12.039

Abstract

One of the leading candidates for quantum gravity, viz. string theory, has the following features incorporated in it. (i) The full spacetime is higher-dimensional, with (possibly) compact extra-dimensions; (ii) there is a natural minimal length below which the concept of continuum spacetime needs to be modified by some deeper concept. On the other hand, the existence of a minimal length (zero-point length) in four-dimensional spacetime, with obvious implications as UV regulator, has been often conjectured as a natural aftermath of any correct quantum theory of gravity. We show that one can incorporate the apparently unrelated pieces of information-zero-point length, extra-dimensions, string T-duality-in a consistent framework. This is done in terms of a modified Kaluza-Klein theory that interpolates between (high-energy) string theory and (low-energy) quantum field theory. In this model, the zero-point length in four dimensions is a "virtual memory" of the length scale of compact extra-dimensions. Such a scale turns out to be determined by T-duality inherited from the underlying fundamental string theory. From a low energy perspective short distance infinities are cutoff by a minimal length which is proportional to the square root of the string slope, i.e., √α1. Thus, we bridge the gap between the string theory domain and the low energy arena of point-particle quantum field theory.

Item Type:Article
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Deposited On:06 Dec 2010 13:18
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