Backbone scaling limit of the high-dimensional IIC: extended version

We identify the scaling limit of the backbone of the high-dimensional incipient infinite cluster (IIC), both in the finite-range and the long-range setting. In the finite-range setting, this scaling limit is Brownian motion, in the long-range setting, it is a stable motion. The proof relies on a novel lace expansion that keeps track of the number of pivotal bonds.