Relativistic weak quantum gravity and its significance for the standard model of particle physics

Abstract: There ought to exist a reformulation of quantum theory, even at energy scales much lower than Planck scale, which does not depend on classical time. Such a formulation is required also for the standard model of particle physics, at the low energies at which it is currently observed. We have proposed such a formulation, by replacing 4D Minkowski spacetime by an octonionic space. Doing so allows us to naturally construct spinor states which describe quarks and leptons having properties as in the standard model. We conclude that the aforesaid reformulation of quantum theory helps understand why the standard model is what it is. We do not need experiments at ever higher energies to understand the low energy standard model. Instead, we need a better understanding of the quantum nature of spacetime at low energies, such that the quantum spacetime is consistent with the principle of quantum linear superposition. In the present short review article, we give a summary of our ongoing research programme which aims to address these issues.