Discrete spacetime volume for three-dimensional BF theory and quantum gravity

The Turaev-Viro state sum invariant is known to give the transition amplitude for the three-dimensional BF theory with cosmological term, and its deformation parameter (h) over bar is related to the cosmological constant via (h) over bar = root Lambda. This suggests a way to find the expectation value of the spacetime volume by differentiating the Turaev-Viro amplitude with respect to the cosmological constant. Using this idea, we find an explicit expression For the spacetime volume in BF theory. According to our results, each labelled triangulation carries a volume that depends on the labelling spins. This volume is explicitly discrete. We also discuss the possibility of using the Turaev-Viro model to obtain the spacetime volume for (2 + 1)-dimensional quantum gravity.