TY - GEN
T1 - Gravity, geometry and the quantum
AU - Ashtekar, Abhay
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - After a brief introduction, basic ideas of the quantum Riemannian geometry underlying loop quantum gravity are summarized. To illustrate physical ramifications of quantum geometry, the framework is then applied to homogeneous isotropic cosmology. Quantum geometry effects are shown to replace the big bang by a big bounce. Thus, quantum physics does not stop at the big-bang singularity. Rather there is a pre-big-bang branch joined to the current post-big-bang branch by a 'quantum bridge'. Furthermore, thanks to the background independence of loop quantum gravity, evolution is deterministic across the bridge.
AB - After a brief introduction, basic ideas of the quantum Riemannian geometry underlying loop quantum gravity are summarized. To illustrate physical ramifications of quantum geometry, the framework is then applied to homogeneous isotropic cosmology. Quantum geometry effects are shown to replace the big bang by a big bounce. Thus, quantum physics does not stop at the big-bang singularity. Rather there is a pre-big-bang branch joined to the current post-big-bang branch by a 'quantum bridge'. Furthermore, thanks to the background independence of loop quantum gravity, evolution is deterministic across the bridge.
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U2 - 10.1063/1.2399563
DO - 10.1063/1.2399563
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:34548057281
SN - 9780735403598
T3 - AIP Conference Proceedings
SP - 3
EP - 13
BT - Albert Einstein Century International Conference
T2 - Albert Einstein Century International Conference
Y2 - 18 July 2005 through 22 July 2005
ER -