Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Parampreet Singh

Publications and source records attributed to Parampreet Singh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Quantum Extension of the Kruskal Space-time

A new description of macroscopic Kruskal black holes that incorporates the quantum geometry corrections of loop quantum gravity is presented. It encompasses both the `interior' region that contains classical singularities and the `exterior' asymptotic region. Singularities are naturally resolved by the quantum geometry effects of loop quantum gravity. The resulting quantum extension of space-time has the following features: (i) It admits an infinite number of trapped, anti-trapped and asymptotic regions; (ii) All curvature scalars have uniform (i.e., mass independent) upper bounds; (iii) In the large mass limit, all asymptotic regions of the extension have the same ADM mass; (iv) In the low curvature region (e.g., near horizons) quantum effects are negligible, as one would physically expect; and (v) Final results are insensitive to the fiducial structures that have to be introduced to construct the classical phase space description (as they must be). Previous effective theories [1-10] shared some but not all of these features. We compare and contrast our results with those of these effective theories and also with expectations based on the AdS/CFT conjecture [11]. We conclude with a discussion of limitations of our framework, especially for the analysis of evaporating black holes.

gr-qc↗

Quantum Transfiguration of Kruskal Black Holes

We present a new effective description of macroscopic Kruskal black holes that incorporates corrections due to quantum geometry effects of loop quantum gravity. It encompasses both the `interior' region that contains classical singularities and the `exterior' asymptotic region. Singularities are naturally resolved by the quantum geometry effects of loop quantum gravity, and the resulting quantum extension of the full Kruskal space-time is free of all the known limitations of previous investigations [1-11] of the Schwarzschild interior. We compare and contrast our results with these investigations and also with the expectations based on the AdS/CFT duality [12].

gr-qc↗

Qualitative dynamics and inflationary attractors in loop cosmology

Qualitative dynamics of three different loop quantizations of spatially flat isotropic and homogeneous models is studied using effective spacetime description of the underlying quantum geometry. These include the standard loop quantum cosmology (LQC), its recently revived modification (referred to as mLQC-I), and another related modification of LQC (mLQC-II) whose dynamics is studied in detail for the first time. Various features of LQC, including quantum bounce and pre-inflationary dynamics, are found to be shared with the mLQC-I and mLQC-II models. We study universal properties of dynamics for chaotic inflation, fractional monodromy inflation, Starobinsky potential, non-minimal Higgs inflation, and an exponential potential. We find various critical points and study their stability, which reveal various qualitative similarities in the post-bounce phase for all these models. The pre-bounce qualitative dynamics of LQC and mLQC-II turns out to be very similar, but is strikingly different from that of mLQC-I. In the dynamical analysis, some of the fixed points turn out to be degenerate for which center manifold theory is used. For all these potentials, non-perturbative quantum gravitational effects always result in a non-singular inflationary scenario with a phase of super-inflation succeeded by the conventional inflation. We show the existence of inflationary attractors, and obtain scaling solutions in the case of the exponential potential. Since all of the models agree with general relativity at late times, our results are also of use in classical theory where qualitative dynamics of some of the potentials has not been studied earlier.

gr-qc↗

Glimpses of Space-Time Beyond the Singularities Using Supercomputers

A fundamental problem of Einstein's theory of classical general relativity is the existence of singularities such as the big bang. All known laws of physics end at these boundaries of classical space-time. Thanks to recent developments in quantum gravity, supercomputers are now playing an important role in understanding the resolution of big bang and black hole singularities. Using supercomputers, explorations of the very genesis of space and time from quantum geometry are revealing a novel picture of what lies beyond classical singularities and the new physics of the birth of our universe.

physics.comp-ph↗

Gauge invariant variables for cosmological perturbation theory using geometrical clocks

Using the extended ADM-phase space formulation in the canonical framework we analyze the relationship between various gauge choices made in cosmological perturbation theory and the choice of geometrical clocks in the relational formalism. We show that various gauge invariant variables obtained in the conventional analysis of cosmological perturbation theory correspond to Dirac observables tied to a specific choice of geometrical clocks. As examples, we show that the Bardeen potentials and the Mukhanov-Sasaki variable emerge naturally in our analysis as observables when gauge fixing conditions are determined via clocks in the Hamiltonian framework. Similarly other gauge invariant variables for various gauges can be systematically obtained. We demonstrate this by analyzing five common gauge choices: longitudinal, spatially flat, uniform field, synchronous and comoving gauge. For all these, we apply the observable map in the context of the relational formalism and obtain the corresponding Dirac observables associated with these choices of clocks. At the linear order, our analysis generalizes the existing results in canonical cosmological perturbation theory twofold. On the one hand we can include also gauges that can only be analyzed in the context of the extended ADM-phase space and furthermore, we obtain a set of natural gauge invariant variables, namely the Dirac observables, for each considered choice of gauge conditions. Our analysis provides insights on which clocks should be used to extract the relevant natural physical observables both at the classical and quantum level. We also discuss how to generalize our analysis in a straightforward way to higher orders in the perturbation theory to understand gauge conditions and the construction of gauge invariant quantities beyond linear order.

gr-qc↗

Towards Cosmological Dynamics from Loop Quantum Gravity

We present a systematic study of the cosmological dynamics resulting from an effective Hamiltonian, recently derived in loop quantum gravity using Thiemann's regularization and earlier obtained in loop quantum cosmology (LQC) by keeping the Lorentzian term explicit in the Hamiltonian constraint. We show that quantum geometric effects result in higher than quadratic corrections in energy density in comparison to LQC causing a non-singular bounce. Dynamics can be described by the Hamilton's or the Friedmann-Raychaudhuri equations, but the map between the two descriptions is not one-to-one. A careful analysis resolves the tension on symmetric versus asymmetric bounce in this model, showing that the bounce must be asymmetric and symmetric bounce is physically inconsistent, in contrast to the standard LQC. In addition, the current observations only allow a scenario where the pre-bounce branch is asymptotically de Sitter, similar to a quantization of the Schwarzschild interior in LQC, and the post-bounce branch yields the classical general relativity. For a quadratic potential, we find that a slow-roll inflation generically happens after the bounce, which is quite similar to what happens in LQC.

gr-qc↗

Generic absence of strong singularities in loop quantum Bianchi-IX spacetimes

We study the generic resolution of strong singularities in loop quantized effective Bianchi-IX spacetime in two different quantizations - the connection operator based `A' quantization and the extrinsic curvature based `K' quantization. We show that in the effective spacetime description with arbitrary matter content, it is necessary to include inverse triad corrections to resolve all the strong singularities in the `A' quantization. Whereas in the `K' quantization these results can be obtained without including inverse triad corrections. Under these conditions, the energy density, expansion and shear scalars for both of the quantization prescriptions are bounded. Notably, both the quantizations can result in potentially curvature divergent events if matter content allows divergences in the partial derivatives of the energy density with respect to the triad variables at a finite energy density. Such events are found to be weak curvature singularities beyond which geodesics can be extended in the effective spacetime. Our results show that all potential strong curvature singularities of the classical theory are forbidden in Bianchi-IX spacetime in loop quantum cosmology and geodesic evolution never breaks down for such events.

gr-qc↗

Von-Neumann Stability and Singularity Resolution in Loop Quantized Schwarzschild Black Hole

Though loop quantization of several spacetimes has exhibited existence of a bounce via an explicit evolution of states using numerical simulations, the question about the way central singularity is resolved in the black hole interior has remained open. The quantum Hamiltonian constraint in loop quantization turns out to be a finite difference equation whose stability is important to understand to gain insights on the viability of the underlying quantization and resulting physical implications. We take first steps towards addressing these issues for a loop quantization of the Schwarzschild interior recently given by Corichi and Singh. Von-Neumann stability analysis is performed using separability of solutions as well as a full two dimensional quantum difference equation. This results in a stability condition for black holes which have a very large mass compared to the Planck mass. For black holes of smaller masses evidence of numerical instability is found. In addition, stability analysis for macroscopic black holes leads to a constraint on the choice of the allowed states in numerical evolution. With the caveat of using kinematical norm, sharply peaked Gaussian states are evolved using the quantum difference equation and singularity resolution is obtained. A bounce is found for one of the triad variables, but for the other triad variable singularity resolution amounts to a non-singular passage through the zero volume. States are found to be peaked at the classical trajectory for a long time before and after the singularity resolution, and retain their semi-classical character across the zero volume. Our main result is that quantum bounce occurs in loop quantized Schwarzschild interior at least for macroscopic black holes.

gr-qc↗

Resolution of strong singularities and geodesic completeness in loop quantum Bianchi-II spacetimes

Generic resolution of singularities and geodesic completeness in the loop quantization of Bianchi-II spacetimes with arbitrary minimally coupled matter is investigated. Using the effective Hamiltonian approach, we examine two available quantizations: one based on the connection operator and second by treating extrinsic curvature as connection via gauge fixing. It turns out that for the connection based quantization, either the inverse triad modifications or imposition of weak energy condition is necessary to obtain a resolution of all strong singularities and geodesic completeness. In contrast, the extrinsic curvature based quantization generically resolves all strong curvature singularities and results in a geodesically complete effective spacetime without inverse triad modifications or energy conditions. In both the quantizations, weak curvature singularities can occur resulting from divergences in pressure and its derivatives at finite densities. These are harmless events beyond which geodesics can be extended. Our work generalizes previous results on the generic resolution of strong singularities in the loop quantization of isotropic, Bianchi-I and Kantowski-Sachs spacetimes.

gr-qc↗

From black holes to white holes: a quantum gravitational, symmetric bounce

Recently a consistent non-perturbative quantization of the Schwarzschild interior resulting in a bounce from black hole to white hole geometry has been obtained by loop quantizing the Kantowski-Sachs vacuum spacetime. As in other spacetimes where the singularity is dominated by the Weyl part of the spacetime curvature, the structure of the singularity is highly anisotropic in the Kantowski-Sachs vacuum spacetime. As a result the bounce turns out to be in general asymmetric creating a large mass difference between the parent black hole and the child white hole. In this manuscript, we investigate under what circumstances a symmetric bounce scenario can be constructed in the above quantization. Using the setting of Dirac observables and geometric clocks we obtain a symmetric bounce condition which can be satisfied by a slight modification in the construction of loops over which holonomies are considered in the quantization procedure. These modifications can be viewed as quantization ambiguities, and are demonstrated in three different flavors which all lead to a non-singular black to white hole transition with identical masses. Our results show that quantization ambiguities can mitigate or even qualitatively change some key features of physics of singularity resolution. Further, these results are potentially helpful in motivating and constructing symmetric black to white hole transition scenarios.

gr-qc↗

Numerical simulations of loop quantum Bianchi-I spacetimes

Due to the numerical complexities of studying evolution in an anisotropic quantum spacetime, in comparison to the isotropic models, the physics of loop quantized anisotropic models has remained largely unexplored. In particular, robustness of bounce and the validity of effective dynamics have so far not been established. Our analysis fills these gaps for the case of vacuum Bianchi-I spacetime. To efficiently solve the quantum Hamiltonian constraint we perform an implementation of the Cactus framework which is conventionally used for applications in numerical relativity. Using high performance computing, numerical simulations for a large number of initial states with a wide variety of fluctuations are performed. Big bang singularity is found to be replaced by anisotropic bounces for all the cases. We find that for initial states which are sharply peaked at the late times in the classical regime and bounce at a mean volume much greater than the Planck volume, effective dynamics is an excellent approximation to the underlying quantum dynamics. Departures of the effective dynamics from the quantum evolution appear for the states probing deep Planck volumes. A detailed analysis of the behavior of this departure reveals a non-monotonic and subtle dependence on fluctuations of the initial states. We find that effective dynamics in almost all of the cases underestimates the volume and hence overestimates the curvature at the bounce, a result in synergy with earlier findings in isotropic case. The expansion and shear scalars are found to be bounded throughout the evolution.

gr-qc↗

Cosmological dynamics in spin-foam loop quantum cosmology: challenges and prospects

We explore the structure of the spin foam-like vertex expansion in loop quantum cosmology and discuss properties of the corresponding amplitudes, with the aim of elucidating some of the expansion's useful properties and features. We find that the expansion is best suited for consideration of conceptual questions and for investigating short-time, highly quantum behavior. In order to study dynamics at cosmological scales, the expansion must be carried to very high order, limiting its direct utility as a calculational tool for such questions. Conversely, it is unclear that the expansion can be truncated at finite order in a controlled manner.

gr-qc↗

Implications of quantum ambiguities in k=1 loop quantum cosmology: distinct quantum turnarounds and the super-Planckian regime

The spatially closed Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker model in loop quantum cosmology admits two inequivalent consistent quantizations: one based on expressing the field strength in terms of the holonomies over closed loops, and, another using a connection operator and open holonomies. Using the effective dynamics, we investigate the phenomenological differences between the two quantizations for the single fluid and the two fluid scenarios with various equations of state, including the phantom matter. We show that a striking difference between the two quantizations is the existence of two distinct quantum turnarounds, either bounces or recollapses, in the connection quantization, in contrast to a single distinct quantum bounce or a recollapse in the holonomy quantization. These results generalize an earlier result on the existence of two distinct quantum bounces for stiff matter by Corichi and Karami. However, we find that in certain situations two distinct quantum turnarounds can become virtually indistinguishable. And depending on the initial conditions, a pure quantum cyclic universe can also exist undergoing a quantum bounce and a quantum recollapse. We show that for various equations of states, connection based quantization leads to super-Planckian values of the energy density and the expansion scalar at quantum turnarounds. Interestingly, we find that very extreme energy densities can also occur for the holonomy quantization, breaching the maximum allowed density in the spatially flat loop quantized model. However, the expansion scalar in all these cases is bounded by a universal value.

gr-qc↗

Loop Quantum Cosmology: A brief review

In the last decade, progress on quantization of homogeneous cosmological spacetimes using techniques of loop quantum gravity has led to insights on various fundamental questions and has opened new avenues to explore Planck scale physics. These include the problem of singularities and their possible generic resolution, constructing viable non-singular models of the very early universe, and bridging quantum gravity with cosmological observations. These results, which emerge from an interplay of sophisticated analytical and numerical techniques, has also led to valuable hints on loop quantization of black hole and inhomogeneous spacetimes. In this review, we provide a summary of this progress while focusing on concrete examples of the quantization procedure and phenomenology of cosmological perturbations.

gr-qc↗

Geodesic completeness and the lack of strong singularities in effective loop quantum Kantowski-Sachs spacetime

Resolution of singularities in the Kantowski-Sachs model due to non-perturbative quantum gravity effects is investigated. Using the effective spacetime description for the improved dynamics version of loop quantum Kantowski-Sachs spacetimes, we show that even though expansion and shear scalars are universally bounded, there can exist events where curvature invariants can diverge. However, such events can occur only for very exotic equations of state when pressure or derivatives of energy density with respect to triads become infinite at a finite energy density. In all other cases curvature invariants are proved to remain finite for any evolution in finite proper time. We find the novel result that all strong singularities are resolved for arbitrary matter. Weak singularities pertaining to above potential curvature divergence events can exist. The effective spacetime is found to be geodesically complete for particle and null geodesics in finite time evolution. Our results add to a growing evidence for generic resolution of strong singularities using effective dynamics in loop quantum cosmology by generalizing earlier results on isotropic and Bianchi-I spacetimes.

gr-qc↗

Is classical flat Kasner spacetime flat in quantum gravity?

Quantum nature of classical flat Kasner spacetime is studied using effective spacetime description in loop quantum cosmology. We find that even though the spacetime curvature vanishes at the classical level, non-trivial quantum gravitational effects can arise. For the standard loop quantization of Bianchi-I spacetime, which uniquely yields universal bounds on expansion and shear scalars and results in a generic resolution of strong singularities, we find that a flat Kasner metric is not a physical solution of the effective spacetime description, except in a limit. The lack of a flat Kasner metric at the quantum level results from a novel feature of the loop quantum Bianchi-I spacetime: quantum geometry induces non-vanishing spacetime curvature components, making it not Ricci flat even when no matter is present. The non-curvature singularity of the classical flat Kasner spacetime is avoided, and the effective spacetime transits from a flat Kasner spacetime in asymptotic future, to a Minkowski spacetime in asymptotic past. Interestingly, for an alternate loop quantization which does not share some of the fine features of the standard quantization, flat Kasner spacetime with expected classical features exists. In this case, even with non-trivial quantum geometric effects, the spacetime curvature vanishes. These examples show that the character of even a flat classical vacuum spacetime can alter in a fundamental way in quantum gravity and is sensitive to the quantization procedure.

gr-qc↗

On the relationship between the modifications to the Raychaudhuri equation and the canonical Hamiltonian structures

The problem of obtaining canonical Hamiltonian structures from the equations of motion, without any knowledge of the action, is studied in the context of the spatially flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models. Modifications to Raychaudhuri equation are implemented independently as quadratic and cubic terms of energy density without introducing additional degrees of freedom. Depending on their sign, modifications make gravity repulsive above a curvature scale for matter satisfying strong energy condition, or more attractive than in the classical theory. Canonical structure of the modified theories is determined demanding that the total Hamiltonian be a linear combination of gravity and matter Hamiltonians. In the quadratic repulsive case, the modified canonical phase space of gravity is a polymerized phase space with canonical momentum as inverse trigonometric function of Hubble rate; the canonical Hamiltonian can be identified with the effective Hamiltonian in loop quantum cosmology. The repulsive cubic modification results in a `generalized polymerized' canonical phase space. Both of the repulsive modifications are found to yield singularity avoidance. In contrast, the quadratic and cubic attractive modifications result in a canonical phase space in which canonical momentum is non-trigonometric and singularities persist. Our results hint on connections between repulsive/attractive nature of modifications to gravity arising from gravitational sector and polymerized/non-polymerized gravitational phase space.

gr-qc↗