Quantum nature of the big bang: Improved dynamics
- Institute for Gravitational Physics and Geometry, Physics Department, Penn State, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 (United States)
An improved Hamiltonian constraint operator is introduced in loop quantum cosmology. Quantum dynamics of the spatially flat, isotropic model with a massless scalar field is then studied in detail using analytical and numerical methods. The scalar field continues to serve as ''emergent time'', the big bang is again replaced by a quantum bounce, and quantum evolution remains deterministic across the deep Planck regime. However, while with the Hamiltonian constraint used so far in loop quantum cosmology the quantum bounce can occur even at low matter densities, with the new Hamiltonian constraint it occurs only at a Planck-scale density. Thus, the new quantum dynamics retains the attractive features of current evolutions in loop quantum cosmology but, at the same time, cures their main weakness.
- OSTI ID:
- 20871395
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Vol. 74, Issue 8; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.74.084003; (c) 2006 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0556-2821
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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