Effective equations for isotropic quantum cosmology including matter

TL;DR

This paper derives and analyzes effective equations for isotropic quantum cosmology models with matter, revealing differences from free scalar cases and implications for quantum state coherence and cosmological bounces.

Contribution

It introduces effective equations for Wheeler-DeWitt and loop quantum cosmology with massive or interacting scalar fields, advancing understanding of quantum cosmological dynamics.

Findings

Effective equations differ significantly from free scalar models.

Implications for state coherence and bounce realization in loop quantum cosmology.

Enhanced understanding of matter effects in quantum cosmological models.

Abstract

Effective equations often provide powerful tools to develop a systematic understanding of detailed properties of a quantum system. This is especially helpful in quantum cosmology where several conceptual and technical difficulties associated with the full quantum equations can be avoided in this way. Here, effective equations for Wheeler-DeWitt and loop quantizations of spatially flat, isotropic cosmological models sourced by a massive or interacting scalar are derived and studied. The resulting systems are remarkably different from that given for a free, massless scalar. This has implications for the coherence of evolving states and the realization of a bounce in loop quantum cosmology.