Quantum nature of the big bang: Improved dynamics

Abhay Ashtekar, Tomasz Pawlowski, and Parampreet Singh
Phys. Rev. D 74, 084003 – Published 2 October 2006

Abstract

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.

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  • Received 10 July 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.74.084003

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Abhay Ashtekar1,2,3,*, Tomasz Pawlowski1,†, and Parampreet Singh1,‡

  • 1Institute for Gravitational Physics and Geometry, Physics Department, Penn State, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
  • 2Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Utrecht, Princetonplein5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
  • 3Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, 20 Clarkson Road, Cambridge CB3 0EH, UK

  • *Electronic address: ashtekar@gravity.psu.edu
  • Electronic address: pawlowsk@gravity.psu.edu
  • Electronic address: singh@gravity.psu.edu

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Issue

Vol. 74, Iss. 8 — 15 October 2006

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