arXiv subjects

Hervé Bergeron

Publications and source records attributed to Hervé Bergeron.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Non-Gaussianities as a Signature of Quantumness of Quantum Cosmology

We show that the consistent application of the rules of quantum mechanics to cosmological systems inevitably results in the so-called multiverse states in which neither the background spacetime nor the inhomogeneous perturbation are in definite states. We study the multiverse states as perturbations to the usually employed so-called Born-Oppenheimer states that are products of a wave function of the background and a wave function of the perturbation. The obtained corrections involve integrals over \emph{virtual backgrounds} that represent the effect of quantum background fluctuations on the perturbation state. They resemble loop corrections in quantum field theory. This approach demonstrates the inevitable existence of very specific non-Gaussian features in primordial fluctuations. We express the resulting non-Gaussian perturbation as a nonlinear function of the Gaussian perturbation obtained within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, and compute its trispectrum, to show that the multiverse scenario leads to testable and distinct signatures in cosmological perturbations. Our approach applies both to inflationary and alternative cosmologies.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

A new class of exact coherent states: enhanced quantization of motion on the half-line

We have discovered a class of dynamically stable coherent states for motion on the half-line. The regularization of the half-line boundary and the consequent quantum motion are expounded within the framework of covariant affine quantization, although alternative approaches are also feasible. The former approach is rooted in affine coherent states and offers a consistent semiclassical representation of quantum motion. However, this method has been known to possess two shortcomings: (a) the dependence of affine coherent states on the choice of a vector, denoted as 'fiducial vector' (which remains unspecified), introduces significant arbitrariness in boundary regularization, and (b) regardless of the choice of 'fiducial vector,' affine coherent states fail to evolve parametrically under the Schrödinger equation, thus limiting the accuracy of the semiclassical description. This limitation, in particular, hampers their suitability for approximating the evolution of compound observables. We demonstrate that a distinct and more refined definition of affine coherent states can simultaneously address both of these issues. In other words, these new affine coherent states exhibit parametric evolution only when the 'fiducial vector,' denoted as $|ψ_0>$, possesses a highly specific character, such as being an eigenstate of a well-defined Hamiltonian. Our discovery holds significant relevance in the field of quantum cosmology, particularly in scenarios where the positive variable is the scale factor of the universe, and its regularized motion plays a crucial role in avoiding the big-bang singularity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Quantum Mixmaster as a model of the Primordial Universe

The Mixmaster solution to Einstein field equations was examined by C. Misner in an effort to better understand the dynamics of the early universe. We highlight the importance of the quantum version of this model for early universe. This quantum version and its semi-classical portraits are yielded through affine and standard coherent state quantizations and more generally affine and Weyl-Heisenberg covariant integral quantizations. The adiabatic and vibronic approximations widely used in molecular physics can be employed to qualitatively study the dynamics of the model on both quantum and semi-classical levels. Moreover, the semi-classical approach with the exact anisotropy potential can be effective in numerical integration of some solutions. Some promising physical features such as the singularity resolution, smooth bouncing, the excitation of anisotropic oscillations and a substantial amount of post-bounce inflation as the backreaction to the latter are pointed out. Finally, a realistic cosmological scenario based on the quantum mixmaster model, which includes the formation and evolution of local structures is outlined.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Primordial gravitational waves in a quantum model of big bounce

We quantise and solve the dynamics of gravitational waves in a quantum Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker spacetime filled with perfect fluid. The classical model is formulated canonically. The Hamiltonian constraint is de-parametrised by setting a fluid variable as the internal clock. The obtained reduced (i.e. physical) phase space is then quantised. Our quantisation procedure is implemented in accordance with two different phase space symmetries, namely, the Weyl-Heisenberg symmetry for the perturbation variables, and the affine symmetry for the background variables. As an appealing outcome, the initial singularity is removed and replaced with a quantum bounce. The quantum model depends on a free parameter that is naturally induced from quantisation and determines the scale of the bounce. We study the dynamics of the quantised gravitational waves across the bounce through three different methods ("thin-horizon", analytical and numerical) which give consistent results and we determine the primordial power spectrum for the case of radiation-dominated universe. Next, we use the instantaneous radiation-matter transition transfer function to make approximate predictions for late universe and constrain our model with LIGO and Planck data. We also give an estimate of the quantum uncertainties in the present-day universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Quantum phase space trajectories with application to quantum cosmology

We develop an approach to quantum dynamics based on quantum phase space trajectories. The latter are built from a unitary irreducible representation of the symmetry group of the respective classical phase space. We use a quantum action functional to derive the basic equations. In principle, our formulation is equivalent to the Hilbert space formulation. However, the former allows for consistent truncations to reduced phase spaces in which approximate quantum dynamics can be derived. We believe that our approach can be very useful in the domain of quantum cosmology and therefore, we use the cosmological phase space example to establish the basic equations of this formalism.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Coherent states quantization and affine symmetry in quantum models of gravitational singularities

We employ the framework of affine covariant quantization and associated semiclassical portrait to address two main issues in the domain of quantum gravitational systems: (i) the fate of singularities and (ii) the lack of external time. Our discussion is based on finite-dimensional, symmetry-reduced cosmological models. We show that the affine quantization of the cosmological dynamics removes the classical singularity and univocally establishes a unitary evolution. The semiclassical portrait based on the affine coherent states exhibits a big bounce replacing the big-bang singularity. As a particularly interesting application, we derive and study a unitary quantum dynamics of the spatially homogenous, closed model, the Mixmaster universe. At the classical level it undergoes an infinite number of oscillations before collapsing into a big-crunch singularity. At the quantum level the singularity is shown to be replaced by adiabatic and nonadiabatic bounces. As another application, we consider the problem of time. We derive semiclassical portraits of quantum dynamics of the Friedman universe with respect to various internal degrees of freedom. Next we compare them and discuss the nature of quantum evolution of the gravitational field.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Three examples of quantum dynamics on the half-line with smooth bouncing

This article is an introductory presentation of the quantization of the half-plane based on affine coherent states (ACS). The half-plane is viewed as the phase space for the dynamics of a positive physical quantity evolving with time, and its affine symmetry is preserved due to the covariance of this type of quantization. We promote the interest of such a procedure for transforming a classical model into a quantum one, since the singularity at the origin is systematically removed, and the arbitrariness of boundary conditions can be easily overcome. We explain some important mathematical aspects of the method. Three elementary examples of applications are presented, the quantum breathing of a massive sphere, the quantum smooth bouncing of a charged sphere, and a smooth bouncing "dust" sphere as a simple model of quantum Newtonian cosmology.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Spectral properties of the quantum Mixmaster universe

We study the spectral properties of the anisotropic part of Hamiltonian entering the quantum dynamics of the Mixmaster universe. We derive the explicit asymptotic expressions for the energy spectrum in the limit of large and small volumes of the universe. Then we study the threshold condition between both regimes. Finally we prove that the spectrum is purely discrete for any volume of the universe. Our results validate and improve the known approximations to the anisotropy potential. They should be useful for any approach to the quantization of the Mixmaster universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

A baby Majorana quantum formalism

The aim of the present paper is to introduce and to discuss the most basic fundamental concepts of quantum physics by means of a simple and pedagogical example. An appreciable part of its content presents original results. We start with the Euclidean plane which is certainly a paradigmatic example of a Hilbert space. The pure states form the unit circle (actually a half of it), the mixed states form the unit disk (actually a half of it), and rotations in the plane rule time evolution through Majorana-like equations involving only real quantities for closed and open systems. The set of pure states or a set of mixed states solve the identity and they are used for understanding the concept of integral quantization of functions on the unit circle and to give a semi-classical portrait of quantum observables. Interesting probabilistic aspects are developed. Since the tensor product of two planes, their direct sum, their cartesian product, are isomorphic (2 is the unique solution to x^x= x\times x = x+x), and they are also isomorphic to C^2, and to the quaternion field H (as a vector space), we describe an interesting relation between entanglement of real states, one-half spin cat states, and unit-norm quaternions which form the group SU$(2)$. We explain the most general form of the Hamiltonian in the real plane by considering the integral quantization of a magnetic-like interaction potential viewed as a classical observable on the unit $2$-sphere. Finally, we present an example of quantum measurement with pointer states lying also in the Euclidean plane.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Weyl-Heisenberg integral quantization(s): a compendium

We present a list of formulae useful for Weyl-Heisenberg integral quantizations, with arbitrary weight, of functions or distributions on the plane. Most of these formulae are known, others are original. The list encompasses particular cases like Weyl-Wigner quantization (constant weight) and coherent states (CS) or Berezin quantization (Gaussian weight). The formulae are given with implicit assumptions on their validity on appropriate space(s) of functions (or distributions). One of the aims of the document is to accompany a work in progress on Weyl-Heisenberg integral quantization of dynamics for the motion of a point particle on the line.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Singularity avoidance in a quantum model of the Mixmaster universe

We present a quantum model of the vacuum Bianchi-IX dynamics. It is based on four main elements. First, we use a compound quantization procedure: an affine coherent state quantization for isotropic variables and a Weyl quantization for anisotropic ones. Second, inspired by standard approaches in molecular physics, we make an adiabatic approximation (Born-Oppenheimer-like approximation). Third, we expand the anisotropy potential about its minimum in order to deal with its harmonic approximation. Fourth, we develop an analytical treatment on the semiclassical level. The resolution of the classical singularity occurs due to a repulsive potential generated by the affine quantization. This procedure shows that during contraction the quantum energy of anisotropic degrees of freedom grows much slower than the classical one. Furthermore, far from the quantum bounce, the classical recollapse is reproduced. Our treatment is put in the general context of methods of molecular physics, which can include both adiabatic and nonadiabatic approximations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Vibronic framework for quantum mixmaster universe

Following our previous papers concerning the quantization of the vacuum Bianchi-IX model within or beyond the Born-Oppenheimer and adiabatic approximation, we develop a more elaborate analysis of the dynamical properties of the model based the vibronic approach utilized in molecular physics. As in the previous papers, we restrict our approach to the harmonic approximation of the anisotropy potential in order to obtain resoluble analytical expressions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Smooth Quantum Dynamics of Mixmaster Universe

We present a quantum version of the vacuum Bianchi IX model by implementing affine coherent state quantization combined with a Born-Oppenheimer-like adiabatic approximation. The analytical treatment is carried out on both quantum and semiclassical levels. The resolution of the classical singularity occurs by means of a repulsive potential generated by our quantization procedure. The quantization of the oscillatory degrees of freedom produces a radiation energy density term in the semiclassical constraint equation. The Friedmann-like lowest energy eigenstates of the system are found to be dynamically stable.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Quantum theory of the Bianchi II model

We describe the quantum evolution of the vacuum Bianchi II universe in terms of the transition amplitude between two asymptotic quantum Kasner-like states. For large values of the momentum variable the classical and quantum calculations give similar results. The difference occurs for small values of this variable due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Our results can be used, to some extent, as a building block of the quantum evolution of the vacuum Bianchi IX universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Quantizations from (P)OVM's

We explain the powerful role that operator-valued measures can play in quantizing any set equipped with a measure, for instance a group (resp. group coset) with its invariant (resp. quasi-invariant) measure. Coherent state quantization is a particular case. Such integral quantizations are illustrated with two examples based on the Weyl-Heisenberg group and on the affine group respectively. An interesting application of the affine quantization in quantum cosmology is mentioned, and we sketch a construction of new coherent states for the hydrogen atom.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

To what extent are canonical and coherent state quantizations physically equivalent?

We investigate the consistency of coherent state (or Berezin-Klauder-Toeplitz, or anti-Wick) quantization in regard to physical observations in the non- relativistic (or Galilean) regime. We compare this procedure with the canonical quantization (on both mathematical and physical levels) and examine whether they are or not equivalent in their predictions: is it possible to dif- ferentiate them on a strictly physical level? As far as only usual dynamical observables (position, momentum, energy, ...) are concerned, the quantization through coherent states is proved to be a perfectly valid alternative. We successfully put to the test the validity of CS quantization in the case of data obtained from vibrational spectroscopy (data that allowed to validate canonical quantization in the early period of Quantum Mechanics).

quant-ph↗