Abstract
The path-integral approach to quantum field theory assigns special importance to finite action Euclidean solutions of classical field equations. In Yang-Mills gauge theories, the instanton solutions of classical field equations with self-dual field strength have given rise to a new, nonperturbative treatment of the quantum field theory and its vacuum state. Since gravitation is also a species of gauge theory, one might think that similar phenomena would occur in gravity. The authors recently sought and found a new self-dual solution to Euclidean gravity which plays a role parallel to that of the Yang-Mills instanton. Gravitational instantons now promise to yield new insights into the nature of quantum gravity.
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This essay received the second award from the Gravity Research Foundation for the year 1979-Ed.
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Eguchi, T., Hanson, A.J. Gravitational instantons. Gen Relat Gravit 11, 315–320 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00759271
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00759271