9 research outputs found
Inflationary scalar spectrum in loop quantum cosmology
In the context of loop quantum cosmology, we consider an inflationary era
driven by a canonical scalar field and occurring in the semiclassical regime,
where spacetime is a continuum but quantum gravitational effects are important.
The spectral amplitude and index of scalar perturbations on an unperturbed de
Sitter background are computed at lowest order in the slow-roll parameters. The
scalar spectrum can be blue-tilted and far from scale invariance, and tuning of
the quantization ambiguities is necessary for agreement with observations. The
results are extended to a generalized quantization scheme including those
proposed in the literature. Quantization of the matter field at sub-horizon
scales can provide a consistency check of such schemes.Comment: 29 pages, 2 figures. v2: typos corrected, discussion improved and
extended, new section added. Conclusions are unchange
Lattice Refining Loop Quantum Cosmology from an Isotropic Embedding of Anisotropic Cosmology
We demonstrate that it is possible to produce different isotropic embeddings
of anisotropic Loop Quantum Cosmology, resulting to "lattice refinement" in the
isotropic system. To introduce the general approach, we first use a simple
model with only two anisotropic directions. We then employ the specific case of
a Bianchi I model, to show how the method extends to three-dimensional systems.
To concisely calculate the step-size of the resulting isotropic state, we
define the "symmetric dual" of states and operators, for the two- and
three-dimensional systems, respectively.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure; slightly amended version to appear in Classical
and Quantum Gravit
Early Universe Dynamics in Semi-Classical Loop Quantum Cosmology
Within the framework of loop quantum cosmology, there exists a semi-classical
regime where spacetime may be approximated in terms of a continuous manifold,
but where the standard Friedmann equations of classical Einstein gravity
receive non-perturbative quantum corrections. An approximate, analytical
approach to studying cosmic dynamics in this regime is developed for both
spatially flat and positively-curved isotropic universes sourced by a
self-interacting scalar field. In the former case, a direct correspondence
between the classical and semi-classical field equations can be established
together with a scale factor duality that directly relates different expanding
and contracting universes. Some examples of non-singular, bouncing cosmologies
are presented together with a scaling, power-law solution.Comment: 14 pages, In Press, JCA
Loop Quantum Cosmology: A Status Report
The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the current state of
the art in loop quantum cosmology for three sets of audiences: young
researchers interested in entering this area; the quantum gravity community in
general; and, cosmologists who wish to apply loop quantum cosmology to probe
modifications in the standard paradigm of the early universe. An effort has
been made to streamline the material so that, as described at the end of
section I, each of these communities can read only the sections they are most
interested in, without a loss of continuity.Comment: 138 pages, 15 figures. Invited Topical Review, To appear in Classical
and Quantum Gravity. Typos corrected, clarifications and references adde
TeV-Scale Black Hole Lifetimes in Extra-Dimensional Lovelock Gravity
We examine the mass loss rates and lifetimes of TeV-scale extra dimensional
black holes (BH) in ADD-like models with Lovelock higher-curvature terms
present in the action. In particular we focus on the predicted differences
between the canonical and microcanonical ensemble statistical mechanics
descriptions of the Hawking radiation that results in the decay of these BH. In
even numbers of extra dimensions the employment of the microcanonical approach
is shown to generally lead to a significant increase in the BH lifetime as in
case of the Einstein-Hilbert action. For odd numbers of extra dimensions,
stable BH remnants occur when employing either description provided the highest
order allowed Lovelock invariant is present. However, in this case, the time
dependence of the mass loss rates obtained employing the two approaches will be
different. These effects are in principle measurable at future colliders.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figs; Refs. and discussion adde
Background Independent Quantum Gravity: A Status Report
The goal of this article is to present an introduction to loop quantum
gravity -a background independent, non-perturbative approach to the problem of
unification of general relativity and quantum physics, based on a quantum
theory of geometry. Our presentation is pedagogical. Thus, in addition to
providing a bird's eye view of the present status of the subject, the article
should also serve as a vehicle to enter the field and explore it in detail. To
aid non-experts, very little is assumed beyond elements of general relativity,
gauge theories and quantum field theory. While the article is essentially
self-contained, the emphasis is on communicating the underlying ideas and the
significance of results rather than on presenting systematic derivations and
detailed proofs. (These can be found in the listed references.) The subject can
be approached in different ways. We have chosen one which is deeply rooted in
well established physics and also has sufficient mathematical precision to
ensure that there are no hidden infinities. In order to keep the article to a
reasonable size, and to avoid overwhelming non-experts, we have had to leave
out several interesting topics, results and viewpoints; this is meant to be an
introduction to the subject rather than an exhaustive review of it.Comment: 125 pages, 5 figures (eps format), the final version published in CQ