Covariant Loop Quantum Gravity and Cosmology

Explore the covariant formulation of Loop Quantum Gravity dynamics, also known as Spinfoam, in this comprehensive lecture by Francesca Vidotto from Western University, Ontario. Delve into the most complete non-perturbative theory of quantum gravity, examining its formulation of the gravitational path integral as a discrete sum over geometries. Learn about well-defined transition amplitudes in 4-dimensional Lorentzian spacetime, including formulations with a positive cosmological constant, and their relation to General Relativity as a classical limit. Discover recent conceptual and computational advancements in the covariant framework of LQG and their applications to cosmology. Investigate key topics such as the general assumptions in defining cosmological models, novel strategies for computing cosmological primordial correlations and entanglement entropy, and the current understanding of singularity resolution and cosmological bounce from a covariant perspective.