No Arabic abstract
A quantum theory of the universe consists of a theory of its quantum dynamics and a theory of its quantum state The theory predicts quantum multiverses in the form of decoherent sets of alternative histories describing the evolution of the universes spacetime geometry and matter content. These consequences follow: (a) The universe generally exhibits different quantum multiverses at different levels and kinds of coarse graining. (b) Quantum multiverses are not a choice or an assumption but are consequences of the theory or not. (c) Quantum multiverses are generic for simple theories (d) Anthropic selection is automatic because observers are physical systems within the universe not somehow outside it. (e) Quantum multiverses can provide different mechanisms for the variation constants in effective theories (like the cosmological constant) enabling anthropic selection. (f) Different levels of coarse grained multiverses provide different routes to calculation as a consequence of decoherence. We support these conclusions by analyzing the quantum multiverses of a variety of quantum cosmological models aimed at the prediction of observable properties of our universe. In particular we show how the example of a multiverse consisting of a vast classical spacetime containing many pocket universes arises automatically as part of a quantum multiverse describing an eternally inflating false vacuum that decays by the quantum nucleation of true vacuum bubbles. In a FAQ we argue that the quantum multiverses of the universe are scientific, real, testable, falsifiable, and similar to those in other areas of science even if they are not directly observable on arbitrarily large scales.
Using the idea of regularisation of singularities due to the variability of the fundamental constants in cosmology we study the cyclic universe models. We find two models of oscillating and non-singular mass density and pressure (non-singular bounce) regularised by varying gravitational constant $G$ despite the scale factor evolution is oscillating and having sharp turning points (singular bounce). Both violating (big-bang) and non-violating (phantom) null energy condition models appear. Then, we extend this idea onto the multiverse containing cyclic individual universes with either growing or decreasing entropy though leaving the net entropy constant. In order to get an insight into the key idea, we consider the doubleverse with the same geometrical evolution of the two parallel universes with their physical evolution (physical coupling constants $c(t)$ and $G(t)$) being different. An interesting point is that there is a possibility to exchange the universes at the point of maximum expansion -- the fact which was already noticed in quantum cosmology. Similar scenario is also possible within the framework of Brans-Dicke theory where varying $G(t)$ is replaced by the dynamical Brans-Dicke field $phi(t)$ though these theories are slightly different.
We study the effects of an information-theoretically motivated nonlinear correction to the Wheeler-deWitt equation in the minisuperspace scheme for flat, $k=0$, Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universes. When the only matter is a cosmological constant, the nonlinearity can provide a barrier that screens the original Big Bang, leading to the quantum creation of a universe through tunneling just as in the $k=1$ case. When the matter is instead a free massless scalar field, the nonlinearity can again prevent a contracting classical universe from reaching zero size by creating a bounce. Our studies here are self-consistent to leading order in perturbation theory for the nonlinear effects.
We compute quantum corrections to the Raychaudhuri equation, by replacing classical geodesics with quantal (Bohmian) trajectories, and show that they prevent focusing of geodesics, and the formation of conjugate points. We discuss implications for the Hawking-Penrose singularity theorems, and for curvature singularities.
In this letter, we calculate the probability for resonantly induced transitions in quantum states due to time dependent gravitational perturbations. Contrary to common wisdom, the probability of inducing transitions is not infinitesimally small. We consider a system of ultra cold neutrons (UCN), which are organized according to the energy levels of the Schrodinger equation in the presence of the earths gravitational field. Transitions between energy levels are induced by an oscillating driving force of frequency $omega$. The driving force is created by oscillating a macroscopic mass in the neighbourhood of the system of neutrons. The neutrons decay in 880 seconds while the probability of transitions increase as $t^2$. Hence the optimal strategy is to drive the system for 2 lifetimes. The transition amplitude then is of the order of $1.06times 10^{-5}$ hence with a million ultra cold neutrons, one should be able to observe transitions.
In 1974 Steven Hawking showed that black holes emit thermal radiation, which eventually causes them to evaporate. The problem of the fate of information in this process is known as the black hole information paradox. It inspired a plethora of theoretical models which, for the most part, assume either a fundamental loss of information or some form of quantum gravity. At variance to the main trends, a conservative approach assuming information retrieval in quantum correlation between Hawking particles was proposed and recently developed within qubit toy-models. Here we leverage modern quantum information to incarnate this idea in a realistic model of quantised radiation. To this end we employ the formalism of quantum Gaussian states together with the continuous-variables version of the quantum marginal problem. Using a rigorous solution to the latter we show that the thermality of all Hawking particles is consistent with a global pure state of the radiation. Surprisingly, we find out that the radiation of an astrophysical black hole can be thermal until the very last particle. In contrast, the thermality of Hawking radiation originating from a microscopic black hole -- which is expected to evaporate through several quanta -- is not excluded, though there are constraints on modes frequencies. Our result support the conservative resolution to the black hole information paradox. Furthermore, it suggests a systematic programme for probing the global state of Hawking radiation.