Cecilia Flori

Research Interests

One of the main challenges in theoretical physics over the last five decades has been to reconcile quantum mechanics with general relativity into a theory of quantum gravity. However, such a theory has been proved to be hard to attain due to

i) conceptual difficulties present in both the component theories (General Relativity (GR) and Quantum Theory);

ii) lack of experimental evidence, since the regimes at which quantum gravity is expected to be applicable are far beyond the range of conceivable experiments. Despite these difficulties, various approaches for a theory of Quantum Gravity have been developed.


In my research I focus on two such approaches: Loop Quantum Gravity and the Topos theoretic approach.

The choice fell on these approaches because, although they both reject the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory, their underpinning philosophical approach to formulating a quantum theory of gravity are radically different.

In particular LQG is a rather conservative scheme, inheriting all the formalism of both GR and Quantum Theory, as it tries to bring to its logical extreme consequences the possibility of combining the two. On the other hand, the Topos approach involves the idea that a radical change of perspective is needed in order to solve the problem of quantum gravity, especially in regard to the fundamental concepts of `space' and `time'. Given the partial successes of both approaches, the hope is that it might be possible to find a common ground in which each approach can enrich the other.

Unfortunately, to date, there is no topos (roughly speaking a topos is a category which is similar to Sets: fundamental mathematical properties (disjoint union, Cartesian product, etc) have a topos analogue) formulation of quantum gravity as such. However, there is well-developed idea on how topos theory can be used in general to describe theories of physics including, potentially, a theory of quantum gravity.

The key idea in the topos approach is that, constructing a theory of physics involves finding a representation, in a topos, of a certain formal language (a formal language is a deductive system of reasoning made of atomic variables, relations between such variables, and rules of inference. In this context it is assumed that each system has a formal language attached to it and which provides a deductive system based on intuitionistic logic), that is attached to the system under investigation. Thus the topos approach consists in first understanding at a fundamental level what a theory of physics and associated conceptual framework should look like and, then, applying these insights to quantum gravity. In this context, a radically new way of thinking about space, time is suggested: for example, the possibility that both GR and quantum theory are `emergent' theories.

Positions Held

• 2009--2010 Research assistant; Imperial College, London, UK,

Recent Publications

• Topos Analogues of the KMS State, Joseph Ben Geloun, Cecilia Flori, arxiv: 1207.0227v1
• Lectures on Topos Quantum Theory, cecilia Flori arxiv: 1207.1744v1
• Complex Numbers and Normal Operators in Topos Quantum Theory, Wilson Brenna, Cecilia Flori arxiv: 1206.0809v1
• Group Action in Topos Quantum Physics, Cecilia Flori arxiv: 1110.1650v3
• Review of the Topos Approach to Quantum Theory, Cecilia Flori, arxiv: 1106.5660v1

Seminars

• Topos Quantum Theory", Theory Canada 7, Lethbridge.
• Topos Formulation of Quantum Theory, The B.U Centers for Einstein Studies & for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston
• Group Action in Topos Quantum Theory, Categories and Physics Workshop, Paris.
• Topos Formulation of History Quantum Theory, Seminar at Oxford University UK
• Topos Theory & Physics, APS Meeting, Dallas
• Topos Formulation of History Quantum Theory, APS March Meeting, Dallas Texas
• Topos Formulation of Quantum Theory, Symposium in Honor of Basil J. Hiley, Helsinki, Finland
• Topos Formulation of History Quantum Theory, CLP7, Birmingham University Birmingham UK
• PIRSA:12020104, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 17, 2012-02-17, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12020156, QG Group Meeting - Cecilia Flori, 2012-02-16, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12020101, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 16, 2012-02-14, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12020099, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 15, 2012-02-13, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12020103, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 14, 2012-02-10, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12020098, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 13, 2012-02-06, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12020102, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 12, 2012-02-03, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010148, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 11, 2012-01-31, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010144, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 10, 2012-01-30, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010150, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 9, 2012-01-27, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010147, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 8, 2012-01-24, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010143, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 7, 2012-01-23, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010149, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 6, 2012-01-20, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010146, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 5, 2012-01-17, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010142, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 4, 2012-01-16, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010141, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 3, 2012-01-13, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010140, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 2, 2012-01-10, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:12010136, Topos Quantum Physics - Lecture 1, 2012-01-09, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:11050018, Topos Theory as a Mathematical Universe - Lecture 3, 2011-05-06, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:11040117, Topos Theory as a Mathematical Universe - Lecture 2, 2011-05-05, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:11050061, Topos Theory as a Mathematical Universe - Lecture 1, 2011-05-03, Topos Quantum Physics
• PIRSA:09010017, Topos formulation of Consistent Histories, 2009-01-14, Quantum Gravity