UConn Physics Colloquium
“Challenging the initial condition prescriptions in quantum cosmology”
Prof. Ali Kaya
Harvard University
Determining the initial state of the universe is a challenging problem in quantum cosmology and there are popular suggestions like the no boundary (Hawking & Hartle) and the tunneling (Vilenkin) prescriptions.
After briefly reviewing the problem, we argue that the quantum theory of gravity must resolve the big-bang singularity either by yielding a regular past eternal evolution or by a smooth finite beginning; in both cases the initial state can in principle be totally arbitrary that need not to be restricted by any ad-hoc principle. We illustrate this point in a minisuperspace toy model where there is a smooth beginning of the universe provided by the matter Hamiltonian degenerating to the zero operator. This simple model also illustrates how quantum gravity may resolve the big-bang singularity.
March 6, 2020
3:30 P.M.
Biology Physics Building
Room BPB-130
Cookies will be served prior to the talk, at 3:00 p.m. outside BPB-130
For more information, contact: Anna Huang at anna.huang@uconn.edu