Resolution of Curvature Singularities in Higher Derivative Gravity

TL;DR

This paper explores how higher derivative gravity theories might resolve cosmological singularities, suggesting a transition from a big crunch to a flat phase before re-expansion.

Contribution

It provides evidence that higher derivative gravity can replace singularities with a smooth Minkowski-like phase in contracting anisotropic universes.

Findings

Big crunch singularity replaced by flat phase

Universe reenters anisotropic expansion symmetrically

Supports higher derivative gravity as a singularity resolution mechanism

Abstract

We consider possible resolutions of singularities in a contracting anisotropic universe for a class of higher derivative gravity theories. We give evidence that for our models the big crunch singularity may be replaced by a nearly flat Minkowski-like phase before the Universe reenters an anisotropic expansion in a time-symmetric manner.