Perturbative Quantization of Gravity Theories

Abstract

We discuss string theory relations between gravity and gauge theory tree amplitudes. Together with $D$-dimensional unitarity, these relations can be used to perturbatively quantize gravity theories, i.e. they contain the necessary information for calculating complete gravity $S$-matrices to any loop orders. This leads to a practical method for computing non-trivial gravity $S$-matrix elements by relating them to much simpler gauge theory ones. We also describe arguments that N=8 D=4 supergravity is less divergent in the ultraviolet than previously thought.

Talk presented at 5th International Symposium on Radiative Corrections (RADCOR-2000), Carmel CA, September 11-15, 2000. Latex, 12 pages