arXiv subjects

David Brizuela

Publications and source records attributed to David Brizuela.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Singularity resolution by holonomy corrections: Spherical charged black holes in cosmological backgrounds

We study spherical charged black holes in the presence of a cosmological constant with corrections motivated by the theory of loop quantum gravity. The effective theory is constructed at the Hamiltonian level by introducing certain correction terms under the condition that the modified constraints form a closed algebra. The corresponding metric tensor is then carefully constructed ensuring that the covariance of the theory is respected, that is, in such a way that different gauge choices on phase space simply correspond to different charts of the same spacetime solution. The resulting geometry is characterized by four parameters: the three usual ones that appear in the general relativistic limit (describing the mass, the charge, and the cosmological constant), as well as a polymerization parameter, which encodes the quantum-gravity corrections. Contrary to general relativity, where this family of solutions is generically singular, in this effective model the presence of the singularity depends on the values of the parameters. The specific ranges of values that define the family of singularity-free spacetimes are explicitly found, and their global structure is analyzed. In particular, the mass and the cosmological constant need to be nonnegative to provide a nonsingular geometry, while there can only be a bounded, relatively small, amount of charge. These conditions are suited for any known spherical astrophysical black hole in the de Sitter cosmological background, and thus this model provides a globally regular description for them.

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arXiv2023

Relativistic effects on the Schrödinger-Newton equation

The Schrödinger-Newton model describes self-gravitating quantum particles, and it is often cited to explain the gravitational collapse of the wave function and the localization of macroscopic objects. However, this model is completely nonrelativistic. Thus, in order to study whether the relativistic effects may spoil the properties of this system, we derive a modification of the Schrödinger-Newton equation by considering certain relativistic corrections up to the first post-Newtonian order. The construction of the model begins by considering the Hamiltonian of a relativistic particle propagating on a curved background. For simplicity, the background metric is assumed to be spherically symmetric and it is then expanded up to the first post-Newtonian order. After performing the canonical quantization of the system, and following the usual interpretation, the square of the module of the wave function defines a mass distribution, which in turn is the source of the Poisson equation for the gravitational potential. As in the nonrelativistic case, this construction couples the Poisson and the Schrödinger equations and leads to a complicated nonlinear system. Hence, the dynamics of an initial Gaussian wave packet is then numerically analyzed. We observe that the natural dispersion of the wave function is slower than in the nonrelativistic case. Furthermore, for those cases that reach a final localized stationary state, the peak of the wave function happens to be located at a smaller radius. Therefore, the relativistic corrections effectively contribute to increase the self-gravitation of the particle and strengthen the validity of this model as an explanation for the gravitational localization of the wave function.

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arXiv2022

Quantum fluctuations and semiclassicality in an inflaton-driven evolution

A semiclassical description of quantum systems is applied to probe the dynamics of the cosmological model of an inflationary universe with quadratic inflaton potential, described in a quantum framework of geometrodynamics. The systematic analysis, focusing in particular on the inflationary and post-inflationary epochs, revealed several surprising and counterintuitive features: $(i)$ during inflation the universe rapidly spreads out in volume which leads to significant relative variance by the end of inflation; $(ii)$ despite that, the quantum evolution can still be described to high accuracy by semiclassical methods; $(iii)$ moreover, in the post-inflationary epoch, as the order of included quantum corrections increases, the quantum trajectory approaches the classical one and the description involving second-order corrections only is actually the least accurate there. The consequence of the latter is that the effects of the quantum variances are washed out by the higher-order quantum corrections.

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arXiv2022

Semiclassical study of the Mixmaster model: the quantum Kasner map

According to the Belinski-Khalatnikov-Lifshitz conjecture, close to a spacelike singularity different spatial points decouple, and the dynamics can be described in terms of the Mixmaster (vacuum Bianchi IX) model. In order to understand the role played by quantum-gravity effects in this context, in the present work we consider the semiclassical behavior of this model. Classically, this system undergoes a series of transitions between Kasner epochs, which are described by a specific transition law. This law is derived based on the conservation of certain physical quantities and the rotational symmetry of the system. In a quantum scenario, however, fluctuations and higher-order moments modify these quantities, and consequently also the transition rule. In particular, we perform a canonical quantization of the model and then analytically obtain the modifications of this transition law for semiclassical states peaked around classical trajectories. The transition rules for the quantum moments are also obtained, and a number of interesting properties are derived concerning the coupling between the different degrees of freedom. More importantly, we show that, due to the presence of quantum-gravity effects and contrary to the classical model, there appear certain finite ranges of the Kasner parameters for which the system will not undergo further transitions and will follow a Kasner regime until the singularity. Even if a more detailed analysis is still needed, this feature points toward a possible resolution of the classical chaotic behavior of the model. Finally, a numerical integration of the equations of motion is also performed in order to verify the obtained analytical results.

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arXiv2022

Anomaly-free deformations of spherical general relativity coupled to matter

A systematic approach is developed in order to obtain spherically symmetric midisuperspace models that accept holonomy modifications in the presence of matter fields with local degrees of freedom. In particular, starting from the most general Hamiltonian quadratic in radial derivatives of the variables, we obtain a family of effective modified constraints that satisfy Dirac's deformation algebra, which encodes the covariance of general relativity, and show that (scale-dependent) holonomy corrections can be consistently implemented. In vacuum, the deformed anomaly-free Hamiltonian is explicitly written in terms of three free functions and we obtain a weak observable that can be interpreted as the mass of the model. Finally, as a particular example, we present a specific covariant polymeric model that remains regular for any value of the connection components. Some of its physical implications and the relation with previous studies in the literature are commented.

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arXiv2022

Holonomy and inverse-triad corrections in spherical models coupled to matter

Loop quantum gravity introduces two characteristic modifications in the classical constraints of general relativity: the holonomy and inverse-triad corrections. In this paper, a systematic construction of anomaly-free effective constraints encoding such corrections is developed for spherically symmetric spacetimes. The starting point of the analysis is a generic Hamiltonian constraint where free functions of the triad and curvature components as well as non-minimal couplings between geometric and matter degrees of freedom are considered. Then, the requirement of anomaly freedom is imposed in order to obtain a modified Hamiltonian that forms a first-class algebra. In this way, we construct a family of consistent deformations of spherical general relativity, which generalizes previous results in the literature. The discussed derivation is implemented for vacuum as well as for two matter models: dust and scalar field. Nonetheless, only the deformed vacuum model admits free functions of the connection components. Therefore, under the present assumptions, we conclude that holonomy corrections are not allowed in the presence of these matter fields.

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arXiv2022

Nonsingular spherically symmetric black-hole model with holonomy corrections

We present a covariant model of a spherically symmetric black hole with corrections motivated by loop quantum gravity. The effective modifications, parametrized by a positive constant $λ$, are implemented through a canonical transformation and a linear combination of the constraints of general relativity, in such a way that the theory remains free of anomalies and general relativity is recovered for $λ=0$. In addition, the corresponding metric is constructed in a fully covariant way to ensure that gauge transformations on phase space correspond to coordinate changes. The solution for each gauge choice provides a chart and corresponding line element of a spacetime solution whose geometry is unambiguously determined in terms of the parameter $λ$ and a constant of motion $m$. For positive values of $m$, the solution is asymptotically flat and contains a globally hyperbolic black-hole/white-hole region with a minimal spacelike hypersurface that replaces the Schwarzschild singularity. The corresponding exterior regions are isometric and, in particular, allow the computation of the ADM mass. The procedure to obtain the global causal structure of the solution yields also its maximal analytic extension.

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arXiv2022

Mode coupling on a geometrodynamical quantization of an inflationary universe

A geometrodynamical quantization of an inflationary universe is considered in order to estimate quantum-gravity effects for the primordial perturbations. Contrary to previous studies in the literature, the back-reaction produced by all the modes of the system is included in our computations. Even if at a classical level the assumption that every mode evolves independently provides a good estimate for the dynamics, our results explicitly show that this is not the case when considering quantum-gravity effects. More precisely, both the self-interaction, as well as the back-reaction from other modes, provide a correction of the same order of magnitude to the usual power spectrum as computed in the approximation of quantum field theory on classical backgrounds. In particular, these quantum-gravity effects introduce certain characteristic scale-dependence on the expression of the power spectrum.

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arXiv2021

Quantum Kasner transition in a locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi II universe

The Belinski-Khalatnikov-Lifshitz (BKL) conjecture predicts a chaotic alternation of Kasner epochs in the evolution of generic classical spacetimes towards a spacelike singularity. As a first step towards understanding the full quantum BKL scenario, we analyze a vacuum Bianchi II model with local rotational symmetry, which presents just one Kasner transition. During the Kasner epochs, the quantum state is coherent and it is thus characterized by constant values of the different quantum fluctuations, correlations and higher-order moments. By computing the constants of motion of the system we provide, for any peaked semiclassical state, the explicit analytical transition rules that relate the parametrization of the asymptotic coherent state before and after the transition. In particular, we obtain the modification of the transition rules for the classical variables due to quantum back-reaction effects. This analysis is performed by considering a high-order truncation in moments (the full computations are performed up to fifth-order, which corresponds to neglecting terms of an order $\hbar^3$), providing a solid estimate about the quantum modifications to the classical model. Finally, in order to understand the dynamics of the state during the transition, we perform some numerical simulations for an initial Gaussian state, that show that the initial and final equilibrium values of the quantum variables are connected by strong and rapid oscillations.

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arXiv2020

Quantum approach to a Bianchi I singularity

The approach of a quantum state to a cosmological singularity is studied through the evolution of its moments in a simple version of a Bianchi I model. In spite of the simplicity, the model exhibits several instructive and unexpected features of the moments. They are investigated here both analytically and numerically in an approximation in which anisotropy is assumed to vary slowly, while numerical methods are also used to analyze the case of a rapidly evolving anisotropy. Physical conclusions are drawn mainly regarding two questions. First, quantum uncertainty of anisotropies does not necessarily eliminate the existence of isotropic solutions, with potential implications for the interpretation of minisuperspace truncations as well as structure-formation scenarios in the early universe. Secondly, back-reaction of moments on basic expectation values is found to delay the approach to the classical singularity.

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arXiv2019

Quantum-gravity effects for excited states of inflationary perturbations

We generalize former findings regarding quantum-gravitational corrections arising from a canonical quantization of a perturbed FLRW universe during inflation by considering an initial state for the scalar and tensor perturbations that generalizes the adiabatic vacuum state and allows us to consider the scenario that the perturbation modes start their evolution in an excited state. Our result shows that the quantum-gravitationally corrected power spectra get modified by pre-factors including the excitation numbers.

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arXiv2019

A moment approach to compute quantum-gravity effects in the primordial universe

An approach to compute quantum-gravity corrections to the scalar and tensorial power spectra of the inflationary perturbations is presented. The analysis of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation is performed by a decomposition of the wave function into its infinite set of moments, which must obey certain system of (first-class) constraints. Considering a semiclassical approximation, the system is truncated at second order in moments and an appropriate gauge-fixing condition is introduced, which allows us to interpret the scale factor of the universe as an internal time. The evolution of the different fluctuations and correlations is then explicitly considered for a de Sitter universe. An approximate analytical solution is obtained for the corrections of the power spectra, which produces an enhancement of power for large scales. Remarkably, the result is in agreement with previous studies in the literature that made use of very different semiclassical approximations. Finally, the numerical implementation of the system is also considered to verify the validity of the analytical solution.

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arXiv2018

Hamiltonian formalism and constraint analysis of three-form matter models coupled with general relativity

A Hamiltonian analysis of models given by a three-form field with a generic potential coupled to general relativity in four dimensions is performed. This kind of fields are naturally present in string theory and cosmological scenarios. In particular, the action that will be considered has been extensively used during the last years to propose inflationary and dark energy models. Nevertheless, in order to keep the discussion as generic as possible, neither symmetries nor a specific form of the potential for the three-form field will be imposed. Interesting and relevant results about the number of dynamical degrees of freedom of these models are obtained. In addition, the analogy with a weakly-coupled scalar field is discussed. Finally, as a particular example of this generic framework, the homogeneous and isotropic cosmological case will be presented.

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arXiv2018

Quantum behavior of the "Little Sibling" of the Big Rip induced by a three-form field

A canonical quantization à la Wheeler-DeWitt is performed for a model of three-form fields in a homogeneous and isotropic universe. We start by carrying out the Hamiltonian formalism of this cosmological model. We then apply this formalism to a Little Sibling of the Big Rip (LSBR), an abrupt event milder than a Big Rip and that is known to be generic to several minimally coupled three-form fields for a variety of potentials. We obtain a set of analytical solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation using different analytical approximations and explore the physical consequences of them. It turns out that there are quantum states where the wave function of the universe vanishes, i.e. the DeWitt condition is fulfilled for them. Given that this happens only for some subset of solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, this points out that the matter inducing the LSBR is equally important in the process as, it has been previously shown, a minimally coupled phantom scalar field feeding classically a LSBR is smoothed at the quantum level, i.e. all the quantum states lead to a vanishing wave function.

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arXiv2016

Quantum-gravitational effects on gauge-invariant scalar and tensor perturbations during inflation: The slow-roll approximation

We continue our study on corrections from canonical quantum gravity to the power spectra of gauge-invariant inflationary scalar and tensor perturbations. A direct canonical quantization of a perturbed inflationary universe model is implemented, which leads to a Wheeler-DeWitt equation. For this equation, a semiclassical approximation is applied in order to obtain a Schroedinger equation with quantum-gravitational correction terms, from which we calculate the corrections to the power spectra. We go beyond the de Sitter case discussed earlier and analyze our model in the first slow-roll approximation, considering terms linear in the slow-roll parameters. We find that the dominant correction term from the de Sitter case, which leads to an enhancement of power on the largest scales, gets modified by terms proportional to the slow-roll parameters. A correction to the tensor-to-scalar ratio is also found at second order in the slow-roll parameters. Making use of the available experimental data, the magnitude of these quantum-gravitational corrections is estimated. Finally, the effects for the temperature anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background are qualitatively obtained.

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arXiv2016

Quantum-gravitational effects on gauge-invariant scalar and tensor perturbations during inflation: The de Sitter case

We present detailed calculations for quantum-gravitational corrections to the power spectra of gauge-invariant scalar and tensor perturbations during inflation. This is done by performing a semiclassical Born-Oppenheimer type of approximation to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, from which we obtain a Schroedinger equation with quantum-gravitational correction terms. As a first step, we perform our calculation for a de Sitter universe and find that the correction terms lead to an enhancement of power on the largest scales.

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arXiv2015

A generalization of the Zerilli master variable for a dynamical spherical spacetime

The evolution of polar perturbations on a spherical background spacetime is analyzed. The matter content is assumed to be a massless scalar field.This provides a nontrivial dynamics to the background and the linearized equations of motion become much more involved than in the vacuum case. The analysis is performed in a Hamiltonian framework, which makes explicit the dynamical role of each of the variables. After performing a number of canonical transformations, it is possible to completely decouple the different perturbative degrees of freedom into constrained, pure-gauge and gauge-invariant variables. In particular, two master variables are obtained: one corresponding to the polar mode of the gravitational wave, whereas the other encodes the complete physical information about the perturbative matter degree of freedom. The evolution equations for these master variables are obtained and simplified.

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arXiv2015

Classical versus quantum evolution for a universe with a positive cosmological constant

A homogeneous and isotropic cosmological model with a positive cosmological constant is considered. The matter sector is given by a massless scalar field, which can be used as an internal time to deparametrize the theory. The idea is to study and compare the evolutions of a quantum and a classical probability distribution by performing a decomposition of both distributions in their corresponding moments. For the numerical analysis an initial peaked Gaussian state in the volume will be chosen. Furthermore, in order to check the robustness of certain results, as initial state both a slightly deformed Gaussian, as well as another completely different state, will also be studied. Differences and similarities between classical and quantum moments are pointed out. In particular, for a subset of moments classical and quantum evolutions are quite similar, but certain variables show remarkable differences.

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