The Ponzano-Regge asymptotic of the 6j symbol: an elementary proof

In this paper we give a direct proof of the Ponzano-Regge asymptotic formula for the Wigner 6j symbol starting from Racah’s single sum formula. Our method treats halfinteger and integer spins on the same footing. The generalization to Minkowskian tetrahedra is direct. This result should be relevant for the introduction of renormalization scales in spin foam models.