Loop quantum cosmology of k=1 FRW models

The closed, k=1, FRW cosmology coupled to a massless scalar field is investigated in the framework of loop quantum cosmology using analytical and numerical methods. As in the k=0 case, the scalar field can be again used as emergent time to construct the physical Hilbert space and introduce Dirac observables. The resulting framework is then used to address a major challenge of quantum cosmology: resolving the big-bang singularity while retaining agreement with general relativity at large scales. It is shown that the framework fulfills this task. In particular, for states which are semi-classical at some late time, the big-bang is replaced by a quantum bounce and a recollapse occurs at the value of the scale factor predicted by classical general relativity. Thus, the `difficulties' pointed out by Green and Unruh in the k=1 case do not arise in a more systematic treatment. As in k=0 models, quantum dynamics is deterministic across the deep Planck regime. However, because it also retains the classical recollapse, in contrast to the k=0 case one is now led to a cyclic model. Finally, we clarify some issues raised by Laguna's recent work addressed to computational physicists

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

Closed FRW model in Loop Quantum Cosmology

The basic idea of the LQC applies to every spatially homogeneous cosmological model, however only the spatially flat (so called $k=0$) case has been understood in detail in the literature thus far. In the closed (so called: k=1) case certain technical difficulties have been the obstacle that stopped the development. In this work the difficulties are overcome, and a new LQC model of the spatially closed, homogeneous, isotropic universe is constructed. The topology of the spacelike section of the universe is assumed to be that of SU(2) or SO(3). Surprisingly, according to the results achieved in this work, the two cases can be distinguished from each other just by the local properties of the quantum geometry of the universe. The quantum hamiltonian operator of the gravitational field takes the form of a difference operator, where the elementary step is the quantum of the 3-volume derived in the flat case by Ashtekar, Pawlowski and Singh. The mathematical properties of the operator are studied: it is essentially self-adjoint, bounded from above by 0, the 0 itself is not an eigenvalue, the eigenvectors form a basis. An estimate on the dimension of the spectral projection on any finite interval is provided.Comment: 19 pages, latex, no figures, high quality, nea

Effective State Metamorphosis in Semi-Classical Loop Quantum Cosmology

Modification to the behavior of geometrical density at short scales is a key result of loop quantum cosmology, responsible for an interesting phenomenology in the very early universe. We demonstrate the way matter with arbitrary scale factor dependence in Hamiltonian incorporates this change in its effective dynamics in the loop modified phase. For generic matter, the equation of state starts varying near a critical scale factor, becomes negative below it and violates strong energy condition. This opens a new avenue to generalize various phenomenological applications in loop quantum cosmology. We show that different ways to define energy density may yield radically different results, especially for the case corresponding to classical dust. We also discuss implications for frequency dispersion induced by modification to geometric density at small scales.Comment: Revised version; includes expanded discussion of natural trans-Planckian modifications to frequency dispersion and robustness to quantization ambiguities. To appear in Class. Quant. Gra

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

Effects of the quantisation ambiguities on the Big Bounce dynamics

In this paper we investigate dynamics of the modified loop quantum cosmology models using dynamical systems methods. Modifications considered come from the choice of the different field strength operator $\hat{F}$ and result in different forms of the effective Hamiltonian. Such an ambiguity of the choice of this expression from some class of functions is allowed in the framework of loop quantisation. Our main goal is to show how such modifications can influence the bouncing universe scenario in the loop quantum cosmology. In effective models considered we classify all evolutional paths for all admissible initial conditions. The dynamics is reduced to the form of a dynamical system of the Newtonian type on a 2-dimensional phase plane. These models are equivalent dynamically to the FRW models with the decaying effective cosmological term parametrised by the canonical variable $p$ (or by the scale factor $a$). We find that for the positive cosmological constant there is a class of oscillating models without the initial and final singularities. The new phenomenon is the appearance of curvature singularities for the finite values of the scale factor, but we find that for the positive cosmological constant these singularities can be avoided. For the positive cosmological constant the evolution begins at the asymptotic state in the past represented by the deSitter contracting (deS$_{-}$) spacetime or the static Einstein universe H=0 or $H=-\infty$ state and reaches the deSitter expanding state (deS$_{+}$), the state H=0 or $H=+\infty$ state. In the case of the negative cosmological constant we obtain the past and future asymptotic states as the Einstein static universes.Comment: RevTeX4, 28 pages, 11 figs; rev.2 new section on exact solutions; (v3) published versio

The Early Universe in Loop Quantum Cosmology

Loop quantum cosmology applies techniques derived for a background independent quantization of general relativity to cosmological situations and draws conclusions for the very early universe. Direct implications for the singularity problem as well as phenomenology in the context of inflation or bouncing universes result, which will be reviewed here. The discussion focuses on recent new results for structure formation and generalizations of the methods.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, plenary talk at VI Mexican School on Gravitation and Mathematical Physics, Nov 21-27, 200

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

On Energy Conditions and Stability in Effective Loop Quantum Cosmology

In isotropic loop quantum cosmology, non-perturbatively modified dynamics of a minimally coupled scalar field violates weak, strong and dominant energy conditions when they are stated in terms of equation of state parameter. The violation of strong energy condition helps to have non-singular evolution by evading singularity theorems thus leading to a generic inflationary phase. However, the violation of weak and dominant energy conditions raises concern, as in general relativity these conditions ensure causality of the system and stability of vacuum via Hawking-Ellis conservation theorem. It is shown here that the non-perturbatively modified kinetic term contributes negative pressure but positive energy density. This crucial feature leads to violation of energy conditions but ensures positivity of energy density, as scalar matter Hamiltonian remains bounded from below. It is also shown that the modified dynamics restricts group velocity for inhomogeneous modes to remain sub-luminal thus ensuring causal propagation across spatial distances.Comment: 29 pages, revtex4; few clarifications, references added, to appear in CQ

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