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arXiv · 1312.1739

Topology and Volume Effects in Quantum Gravity: Wheeler-DeWitt Theory

Johan Brannlund·Andrew DeBenedictis·Alison Lauman
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Abstract

We consider the quantization of space-times which can possess different topologies within a symmetry reduced version of Wheeler-DeWitt theory. The quantum states are defined from a natural decomposition as an outer-product of a topological state, dictating the topology of the two-surfaces of the space-time, and a geometric state, which controls the geometry and is comprised of solutions to the Wheeler-DeWitt constraints. Within this symmetry reduced theory an eigenvalue equation is derived for the two-volume of spacetime, which for spherical topology is fixed to a value of $4π$. However, for the other topologies it is found that the spectrum can be \emph{discrete} and hence the universe, if in one of these other topological states, may only possess certain possible values for the two-volume, whereas classically all values are allowed. We analyze this result in the context of pure gravity (black holes).

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Johan Brannlund, Andrew DeBenedictis, Alison Lauman. 2014-03-25. Topology and Volume Effects in Quantum Gravity: Wheeler-DeWitt Theory. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381%2F31%2F9%2F095011

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