Group field theory (GFT) is a quantum field
theory in which the base manifold is taken
to be a Lie group.
It is closely related to background independent
quantum gravity approaches such as loop quantum
gravity, the spin foam formalism and causal
dynamical triangulation.
It can be shown that its perturbative expansion
can be interpreted as spin foams and simplicial
pseudo-manifolds (depending on the representation
of the fields).
Thus, its partition function defines a non-perturbative
sum over all simplicial topologies and geometries,
giving a path integral formulation of quantum
spacetime.
== See also ==
Shape dynamics
Causal Sets
Fractal cosmology
Loop quantum gravity
Planck scale
Quantum gravity
Regge calculus
Simplex
Simplicial manifold
Spin foam
