Contact: m.dunajski[AT]damtp.cam.ac.ukLocation: Luminy, Marseille, France
Twistor theory was originally proposed by Roger Penrose as a geometric framework for physics that aims to unify general relativity and quantum mechanics. In this approach, spacetime is secondary with events being derived objects that correspond to compact holomorphic curves in a complex three–fold, the twistor space.
Loop quantum gravity is a background-independent approach to the quantization of general relativity. It provides a compelling picture of quantum spacetime in terms of a collection of `atoms’ with discrete spectra, and the possibility of resolving the singularities of general relativity.
The communities working in these two theories share both technical and a conceptual pillars, however the fields have evolved independently for many years, with different methods and intermediate goals. The aim of the meeting is to bring together for the first time the two communities in a broad and comprehensive way, to strengthen this interdisciplinary overlap and foster new collaborations and developments, concentrating primarily on the geometric and general– relativistic aspects. Leading international researchers both in twistor theory and loop quantum gravity will have the opportunity to establish and consolidate the connections between the two areas of research, and to overcome problems at the forefront of both fields.