7 research outputs found
Background independent quantizations: the scalar field I
We are concerned with the issue of quantization of a scalar field in a
diffeomorphism invariant manner. We apply the method used in Loop Quantum
Gravity. It relies on the specific choice of scalar field variables referred to
as the polymer variables. The quantization, in our formulation, amounts to
introducing the `quantum' polymer *-star algebra and looking for positive
linear functionals, called states. The assumed in our paper homeomorphism
invariance allows to determine a complete class of the states. Except one, all
of them are new. In this letter we outline the main steps and conclusions, and
present the results: the GNS representations, characterization of those states
which lead to essentially self adjoint momentum operators (unbounded),
identification of the equivalence classes of the representations as well as of
the irreducible ones. The algebra and topology of the problem, the derivation,
all the technical details and more are contained in the paper-part II.Comment: 13 pages, minor corrections were made in the revised versio
Automorphism covariant representations of the holonomy-flux *-algebra
We continue an analysis of representations of cylindrical functions and
fluxes which are commonly used as elementary variables of Loop Quantum Gravity.
We consider an arbitrary principal bundle of a compact connected structure
group and following Sahlmann's ideas define a holonomy-flux *-algebra whose
elements correspond to the elementary variables. There exists a natural action
of automorphisms of the bundle on the algebra; the action generalizes the
action of analytic diffeomorphisms and gauge transformations on the algebra
considered in earlier works. We define the automorphism covariance of a
*-representation of the algebra on a Hilbert space and prove that the only
Hilbert space admitting such a representation is a direct sum of spaces L^2
given by a unique measure on the space of generalized connections. This result
is a generalization of our previous work (Class. Quantum. Grav. 20 (2003)
3543-3567, gr-qc/0302059) where we assumed that the principal bundle is
trivial, and its base manifold is R^d.Comment: 34 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX2e, minor clarifying remark
Background independent quantizations: the scalar field II
We are concerned with the issue of quantization of a scalar field in a
diffeomorphism invariant manner. We apply the method used in Loop Quantum
Gravity. It relies on the specific choice of scalar field variables referred to
as the polymer variables. The quantization, in our formulation, amounts to
introducing the `quantum' polymer *-star algebra and looking for positive
linear functionals, called states. Assumed in our paper homeomorphism
invariance allows to derive the complete class of the states. They are
determined by the homeomorphism invariant states defined on the CW-complex
*-algebra. The corresponding GNS representations of the polymer *-algebra and
their self-adjoint extensions are derived, the equivalence classes are found
and invariant subspaces characterized. In the preceding letter (the part I) we
outlined those results. Here, we present the technical details.Comment: 51 pages, LaTeX, no figures, revised versio
Hilbert space built over connections with a non-compact structure group
Quantization of general relativity in terms of SL(2,C)-connections (i.e. in
terms of the complex Ashtekar variables) is technically difficult because of
the non-compactness of SL(2,C). The difficulties concern the construction of a
diffeomorphism invariant Hilbert space structure on the space of cylindrical
functions of the connections. We present here a 'toy' model of such a Hilbert
space built over connections whose structure group is the group of real
numbers. We show that in the case of any Hilbert space built analogously over
connections with any non-compact structure group (this includes some models
presented in the literature) there exists an obstacle which does not allow to
define a *-representation of cylindrical functions on the Hilbert space by the
multiplication map which is the only known way to define a diffeomorphism
invariant representation of the functions.Comment: 45 pages, no figures, LaTeX2e, the discussion of results extende
Spherically Symmetric Quantum Geometry: Hamiltonian Constraint
Variables adapted to the quantum dynamics of spherically symmetric models are
introduced, which further simplify the spherically symmetric volume operator
and allow an explicit computation of all matrix elements of the Euclidean and
Lorentzian Hamiltonian constraints. The construction fits completely into the
general scheme available in loop quantum gravity for the quantization of the
full theory as well as symmetric models. This then presents a further
consistency check of the whole scheme in inhomogeneous situations, lending
further credence to the physical results obtained so far mainly in homogeneous
models. New applications in particular of the spherically symmetric model in
the context of black hole physics are discussed.Comment: 33 page
Loop Quantum Cosmology
Quantum gravity is expected to be necessary in order to understand situations
where classical general relativity breaks down. In particular in cosmology one
has to deal with initial singularities, i.e. the fact that the backward
evolution of a classical space-time inevitably comes to an end after a finite
amount of proper time. This presents a breakdown of the classical picture and
requires an extended theory for a meaningful description. Since small length
scales and high curvatures are involved, quantum effects must play a role. Not
only the singularity itself but also the surrounding space-time is then
modified. One particular realization is loop quantum cosmology, an application
of loop quantum gravity to homogeneous systems, which removes classical
singularities. Its implications can be studied at different levels. Main
effects are introduced into effective classical equations which allow to avoid
interpretational problems of quantum theory. They give rise to new kinds of
early universe phenomenology with applications to inflation and cyclic models.
To resolve classical singularities and to understand the structure of geometry
around them, the quantum description is necessary. Classical evolution is then
replaced by a difference equation for a wave function which allows to extend
space-time beyond classical singularities. One main question is how these
homogeneous scenarios are related to full loop quantum gravity, which can be
dealt with at the level of distributional symmetric states. Finally, the new
structure of space-time arising in loop quantum gravity and its application to
cosmology sheds new light on more general issues such as time.Comment: 104 pages, 10 figures; online version, containing 6 movies, available
at http://relativity.livingreviews.org/Articles/lrr-2005-11