Conceptual issues in quantum cosmology

Details Conceptual issues in quantum cosmology Conceptual issues in quantum cosmology

1999-06-24

arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/9906100v1

Lect.Notes Phys. 541 (2000) 158-187

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

31 pages, LATEX, needs Springer macro cl2emult.cls, 3 eps-figures, contribution for the Karpacz winter school 1999

Scientific paper

I give a review of the conceptual issues that arise in theories of quantum cosmology. I start by emphasising some features of ordinary quantum theory that also play a crucial role in understanding quantum cosmology. I then give motivations why spacetime cannot be treated classically at the most fundamental level. Two important issues in quantum cosmology -- the problem of time and the role of boundary conditions -- are discussed at some length. Finally, I discuss how classical spacetime can be recovered as an approximate notion. This involves the application of a semiclassical approximation and the process of decoherence. The latter is applied to both global degrees of freedom and primordial fluctuations in an inflationary Universe.

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