Quantum Phase Transitions in the BKL Universe

TL;DR

This paper investigates quantum corrections to classical Bianchi universes, revealing a phase transition that suppresses chaos and leads to a uniform approach to singularity, with implications for spacetime structure.

Contribution

It introduces quantum corrections based on the asymptotic safety program, demonstrating a phase transition in Bianchi universes that alters their classical chaotic behavior.

Findings

Quantum corrections induce a phase transition in Bianchi universes.

Classical chaotic Kasner oscillations are replaced by uniform singularity approach.

Implications for the microscopic structure of spacetime are discussed.

Abstract

We study quantum corrections to the classical Bianchi I and Bianchi IX universes. The modified dynamics is well-motivated from the asymptotic safety program where the short-distance behavior of gravity is governed by a non-trivial renormalization group fixed point. The correction terms induce a phase transition in the dynamics of the model, changing the classical, chaotic Kasner oscillations into a uniform approach to a point singularity. The resulting implications for the microscopic structure of spacetime are discussed.