Tunneling dynamics of an oscillating universe model

TL;DR

This paper applies quasiclassical methods to an oscillating universe model, revealing complex tunneling dynamics and irregular oscillations not captured by classical descriptions.

Contribution

It introduces a quasiclassical approach to analyze tunneling in an oscillating universe model, uncovering irregular cycle behavior.

Findings

Quasiclassical methods accurately describe tunneling states.

Oscillating universe dynamics are less regular than classical predictions.

Cycles show varying maximal volume despite constant parameters.

Abstract

Quasiclassical methods for non-adiabatic quantum dynamics can reveal new features of quantum effects, such as tunneling evolution, that are harder to reveal in standard treatments based on wave functions of stationary states. Here, these methods are applied to an oscillating universe model introduced recently. Our quasiclassical treatment correctly describes several expected features of tunneling states, in particular just before and after tunneling into a trapped region where a model universe may oscillate through many cycles of collapse and expansion. As a new result, the oscillating dynamics is found to be much less regular than in the classical description, revealing a succession of cycles with varying maximal volume even when the matter ingredients and their parameters do not change.