Unification of general relativity with quantum effects

Determine a mathematically consistent and physically predictive theory that unifies general relativity with quantum effects, providing a coherent fundamental description of high-energy physics that reconciles gravitational dynamics with quantum field theory across all energy scales.

Background

The paper studies electron–positron to muon–antimuon scattering within the asymptotically safe Standard Model as a probe of unitarity and real-time dynamics in quantum gravity. In framing the motivation, the authors highlight the broader context that a consistent unification of general relativity with quantum phenomena is not yet established. Asymptotically safe gravity is discussed as a leading candidate where the ultraviolet regime is controlled by an interacting fixed point.

This open problem underpins the paper’s aim: testing key aspects such as unitarity and observable predictions in a quantum-gravity setting. The authors’ results provide evidence relevant to this larger question by computing non-perturbative, timelike correlation functions and demonstrating compatibility with unitarity bounds.

References

The unification of general relativity with quantum effects remains one key open question in fundamental high-energy physics.

$e^+ e^- \to μ^+ μ^-$ in the Asymptotically Safe Standard Model (2412.13800 - Pastor-Gutiérrez et al., 18 Dec 2024) in Section 1 (Introduction), first paragraph