Relic gravitons as the observable for Loop Quantum Cosmology

In this paper we investigate tensor modes of perturbations in the universe governed by Loop Quantum Cosmology. We derive the equation for tensor modes and investigate numerically effects of quantum corrections. This investigation reveals that the region of super-adiabatic amplification of tensor modes is smaller in comparison with the classical case. Neglecting quantum corrections to the equation for tensor modes and holding underlying loop dynamics we study analytically the creation of gravitons. We calculate the power spectrum of tensor perturbations during the super-inflationary phase induced by Loop Quantum Gravity. The main result obtained is the spectrum of gravitons, produced in the transition from the quantum to classical regime of the Universe. Obtained spectrum is characterized by a hard branch. The numerical investigation shows the strong dependence of $\nu_{\text{max}}$ frequency with respect to quantum numbers. The parameter $\Omega_{\text{gw}}(\nu_{\text{max}})$ approaches even to $\sim 10^{-1}$ for highest frequencies. We compare our results with recent constraints from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) and find that it is possible to test the quantum effects in the early Universe.Comment: RevTeX4, 10 pages, 4 figures; v2: extended, more clarification on quantum correction

Quantum gravity in the very early universe

General relativity describes the gravitational field geometrically and in a self-interacting way because it couples to all forms of energy, including its own. Both features make finding a quantum theory difficult, yet it is important in the high-energy regime of the very early universe. This review article introduces some of the results for the quantum nature of space-time which indicate that there is a discrete, atomic picture not just for matter but also for space and time. At high energy scales, such deviations from the continuum affect the propagation of matter, the expansion of the universe, and perhaps even the form of symmetries such as Lorentz or CP transformations. All these effects may leave traces detectable by sensitive measurements, as pointed out here by examples.Comment: 10 pages, plenary talk at "6th International Conference on Physics and Astrophysics of Quark Gluon Plasma" (ICPAQGP 2010), Goa, Indi

Deformed General Relativity and Effective Actions from Loop Quantum Gravity

Canonical methods can be used to construct effective actions from deformed covariance algebras, as implied by quantum-geometry corrections of loop quantum gravity. To this end, classical constructions are extended systematically to effective constraints of canonical quantum gravity and applied to model systems as well as general metrics, with the following conclusions: (i) Dispersion relations of matter and gravitational waves are deformed in related ways, ensuring a consistent realization of causality. (ii) Inverse-triad corrections modify the classical action in a way clearly distinguishable from curvature effects. In particular, these corrections can be significantly larger than often expected for standard quantum-gravity phenomena. (iii) Finally, holonomy corrections in high-curvature regimes do not signal the evolution from collapse to expansion in a "bounce," but rather the emergence of the universe from Euclidean space at high density. This new version of signature-change cosmology suggests a natural way of posing initial conditions, and a solution to the entropy problem.Comment: 44 page

Loop Quantum Cosmology, Boundary Proposals, and Inflation

Loop quantum cosmology of the closed isotropic model is studied with a special emphasis on a comparison with traditional results obtained in the Wheeler-DeWitt approach. This includes the relation of the dynamical initial conditions with boundary conditions such as the no-boundary or the tunneling proposal and a discussion of inflation from quantum cosmology.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure

Quantum gravity, space-time structure, and cosmology

A set of diverse but mutually consistent results obtained in different settings has spawned a new view of loop quantum gravity and its physical implications, based on the interplay of operator calculations and effective theory: Quantum corrections modify, but do not destroy, space-time and the notion of covariance. Potentially observable effects much more promising than those of higher-curvature effective actions result; loop quantum gravity has turned into a falsifiable framework, with interesting ingredients for new cosmic world views. At Planckian densities, space-time disappears and is replaced by 4-dimensional space without evolution.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, Plenary talk at CosGrav12, held at Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkat

Initial Conditions for a Universe

In physical theories, boundary or initial conditions play the role of selecting special situations which can be described by a theory with its general laws. Cosmology has long been suspected to be different in that its fundamental theory should explain the fact that we can observe only one particular realization. This is not realized, however, in the classical formulation and in its conventional quantization; the situation is even worse due to the singularity problem. In recent years, a new formulation of quantum cosmology has been developed which is based on quantum geometry, a candidate for a theory of quantum gravity. Here, the dynamical law and initial conditions turn out to be linked intimately, in combination with a solution of the singularity problem.Comment: 7 pages, this essay was awarded First Prize in the Gravity Research Foundation Essay Contest 200

Loop Quantum Cosmology: Recent Progress

Aspects of the full theory of loop quantum gravity can be studied in a simpler context by reducing to symmetric models like cosmological ones. This leads to several applications where loop effects play a significant role when one is sensitive to the quantum regime. As a consequence, the structure of and the approach to classical singularities are very different from general relativity: The quantum theory is free of singularities, and there are new phenomenological scenarios for the evolution of the very early universe including inflation. We give an overview of the main effects, focussing on recent results obtained by several different groups.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures, Plenary talk at ICGC 04, Cochin, Indi

Homogeneous Loop Quantum Cosmology: The Role of the Spin Connection

Homogeneous cosmological models with non-vanishing intrinsic curvature require a special treatment when they are quantized with loop quantum cosmological methods. Guidance from the full theory which is lost in this context can be replaced by two criteria for an acceptable quantization, admissibility of a continuum approximation and local stability. A quantization of the corresponding Hamiltonian constraints is presented and shown to lead to a locally stable, non-singular evolution compatible with almost classical behavior at large volume. As an application, the Bianchi IX model and its modified behavior close to its classical singularity is explored.Comment: revtex4, 36 pages, 10 figures. In version 2 the introduction is expanded, section III E is added and a paragraph on relevance of results is added in the conclusions. Refs updated, results unchanged. To appear in Class. Quant. Gravit

Non-standard loop quantum cosmology

We present results concerning the nature of the cosmological big bounce(BB) transition within the loop geometry underlying loop quantum cosmology (LQC). Our canonical quantization method is an alternative to the standard LQC. An evolution parameter we use has clear interpretation both at classical and quantum levels. The physical volume operator has discrete spectrum which is bounded from below. The minimum gap in the spectrum defines a quantum of the volume. The spectra of operators are parametrized by a free parameter to be determined.Comment: 4 pages, prepared for the proceedings of the Grassmannian Conference in Fundamental Cosmology (Grasscosmofun'09), 14-19 September 2009, Szczecin, Polan

Homogeneous Loop Quantum Cosmology

Loop quantum cosmological methods are extended to homogeneous models in diagonalized form. It is shown that the diagonalization leads to a simplification of the volume operator such that its spectrum can be determined explicitly. This allows the calculation of composite operators, most importantly the Hamiltonian constraint. As an application the dynamics of the Bianchi I model is studied and it is shown that its loop quantization is free of singularities.Comment: 25 pages, 3 figure