A Systematic Lagrangian Formulation for Quantum and Classical Gravity at High Energies

We derive a systematic Lagrangian approach for quantum gravity in the super-Planckian limit where $s\gg M_{pl}^2\gg t$. The action can be used to calculate to arbitrary accuracy in the quantum and classical expansion parameters $α_Q= \frac{t}{M_{pl}^2}$ and $α_C= \frac{st}{M_{pl}^4}$, respectively, for the scattering of massless particles. The perturbative series contains powers of $\log(s/t)$ which can be resummed using a rapidity renormalization group equation (RRGE) that follows from a factorization theorem which allows us to write the amplitude as a convolution of a soft and collinear jet functions. We prove that the soft function is composed of an infinite tower of operators which do not mix under rapidity renormalization. The running of the leading order (in $G$) operator leads to the graviton Regge trajectory while the next to leading operator running corresponds to the gravitational BFKL equation. For the former, we find agreement with one of the two results previously presented in the literature, while for the ladder our result agrees (up to regulator dependent pieces) with those of Lipatov. We find that the convolutive piece of the gravitational BFKL kernel is the square of that of QCD. The power counting simplifies considerably in the classical limit where we can use our formalism to extract logs at any order in the PM expansion. The leading log at any order in the PM expansion can be calculated without going beyond one loop. The log at $(2N+1)$ order in the Post-Minkowskian expansion follows from calculating the one loop anomalous dimension for the $N+1$th order piece of the soft function and perturbatively solving the RRGE $N-1$ times. The factorization theorem implies that the classical logs which arise alternate between being real and imaginary in nature as $N$ increases.

💡 Research Summary

The paper presents a comprehensive effective‑field‑theory (EFT) framework for scattering of massless particles in the super‑Planckian regime where the Mandelstam variables satisfy (s\gg M_{\rm Pl}^2\gg t). In this limit the usual perturbative expansion of quantum gravity breaks down because the effective coupling (G s) becomes large and logarithms of the ratio (s/t) appear at every order. To regain calculational control the authors introduce two small expansion parameters: a quantum parameter (\alpha_Q = t/M_{\rm Pl}^2) and a classical (post‑Minkowskian) parameter (\alpha_C = st/M_{\rm Pl}^4). These parameters allow a double expansion that separates genuine quantum loop effects from classical high‑energy corrections.

The construction builds on insights from soft‑collinear effective theory (SCET) and its extension that includes Glauber exchanges. After reviewing the analogous situation in Yang‑Mills theory, the authors formulate a “Glauber Gravitational SCET” (GSCET) in which the forward‑scattering amplitude factorizes into a convolution of soft and collinear jet functions. A rapidity regulator is introduced to control divergences associated with the large boost between the two incoming particles. The factorization theorem guarantees that the amplitude can be written as \