The Semiclassical limit of loop quantum cosmology

May, 2001
10 pages
Published in:
  • Class.Quant.Grav. 18 (2001) L109-L116
e-Print:
Report number:
  • CGPG-01-5-2

Citations per year

2001200720132019202305101520
Abstract: (arXiv)
The continuum and semiclassical limits of isotropic, spatially flat loop quantum cosmology are discussed, with an emphasis on the role played by the Barbero-Immirzi parameter \gamma in controlling space-time discreteness. In this way, standard quantum cosmology is shown to be the simultaneous limit \gamma \to 0, j \to \infty of loop quantum cosmology. Here, j is a label of the volume eigenvalues, and the simultaneous limit is technically the same as the classical limit \hbar \to 0, l \to \infty of angular momentum in quantum mechanics. Possible lessons for semiclassical states at the dynamical level in the full theory of quantum geometry are mentioned.
  • quantum cosmology
  • continuum limit
  • approximation: semiclassical
  • field theory: space-time