Quantum cosmology: Effective theory

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Abstract

Quantum cosmology has traditionally been studied at the level of symmetry-reduced minisuperspace models, analyzing the behavior of wave functions. However, in the absence of a complete full setting of quantum gravity and detailed knowledge of specific properties of quantum states, it remained difficult to make testable predictions. For quantum cosmology to be part of empirical science, it must allow for a systematic framework in which corrections to well-tested classical equations can be derived, with any ambiguities and ignorance sufficiently parameterized. As in particle and condensed-matter physics, a successful viewpoint is one of effective theories, adapted to specific issues one encounters in quantum cosmology. This review presents such an effective framework of quantum cosmology, taking into account, among other things, space-time structures, covariance, the problem of time and the anomaly issue.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number213001
JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity
Volume29
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 7 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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