Perfect Quantum Cosmological Bounce
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Gielen, S
Turok, N
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We study quantum cosmology with conformal matter comprising a perfect radiation fluid and a number of conformally coupled scalar fields. Focusing initially on the collective coordinates (minisuperspace) associated with homogeneous, isotropic backgrounds, we are able to perform the quantum gravity path integral exactly. The evolution describes a “perfect bounce”, in which the Universe passes smoothly through the singularity. We extend the analysis to spatially flat, anisotropic universes, treated exactly, and to generic inhomogeneous, anisotropic perturbations treated at linear and nonlinear order. This picture provides a natural, unitary description of quantum mechanical evolution across a cosmological bounce. We provide evidence for a semiclassical description in which all fields pass “around” the cosmological singularity along complex classical paths.
Date Issued
2016-07-06
Date Acceptance
2016-06-08
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2016, 117 (2)
ISSN
1079-7114
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
117
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2016 American Physical Society
Sponsor
European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Subjects
General Physics
Physical Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
021301