General Relativity and the Divergence Problem in Quantum Field Theory

Abstract

Possible physical consequences of general relativity for the elementary particle problem have usually been assumed to be negligible, due to the weakness of the gravitational coupling constant. It has been felt that since the effects of the new particles and the energies at which current theory becomes invalid occur very much below the domain for which gravitation becomes significant, a correct future theory will obviate the necessity of considering relativity in this context. It is presumed that, in any case, such a correct theory will differ so radically from current ideas, that arguments based on these will lose their validity. Further, general relativity is sometimes thought to be purely macroscopic in applicability, and to lose its meaning in subatomic regions where the concept of metric (or possibly metric operator) is not very transparent.

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