The covariant entropy bound and loop quantum cosmology

TL;DR

This paper investigates Bousso's covariant entropy bound in loop quantum cosmology, finding that quantum effects near the big bang resolve singularities and allow the bound to be respected, suggesting it may emerge from quantum gravity.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that loop quantum cosmology can uphold the covariant entropy bound near the big bang, challenging previous violations and indicating the bound's emergent nature.

Findings

Quantum geometry effects resolve the big bang singularity.

The covariant entropy bound is respected in loop quantum cosmology.

The bound may emerge from quantum gravity rather than being fundamental.

Abstract

We examine Bousso's covariant entropy bound conjecture in the context of radiation filled, spatially flat, Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models. The bound is violated near the big bang. However, the hope has been that quantum gravity effects would intervene and protect it. Loop quantum cosmology provides a near ideal setting for investigating this issue. For, on the one hand, quantum geometry effects resolve the singularity and, on the other hand, the wave function is sharply peaked at a quantum corrected but smooth geometry which can supply the structure needed to test the bound. We find that the bound is respected. We suggest that the bound need not be an essential ingredient for a quantum gravity theory but may emerge from it under suitable circumstances.