Relational quantum dynamics of the black hole interior: singularity resolution and quantum bounce

TL;DR

This paper presents a relational, gauge-invariant quantum analysis of black hole interiors, demonstrating singularity resolution and a quantum bounce that suggests a transition from black hole to white hole.

Contribution

It introduces a fully relational and gauge-invariant quantization framework for black hole interiors, showing singularity resolution and a quantum bounce without relying on specific quantization schemes.

Findings

Kretschmann and expansion scalars remain finite inside the black hole.

The area of 2-spheres is bounded below by a minimum value.

The expansion scalar vanishes and changes sign at the quantum bounce.

Abstract

We study the interior of the Schwarzschild black hole which is isometric to the Kantowski-Sachs cosmological model, using a fully relational and gauge-invariant quantization framework. The physical Hilbert space is constructed via refined algebraic quantization, and quantum dynamics is recovered through the Page-Wootters formalism with a covariant POVM clock built from one of the two configuration variables, whose Hamiltonian is proportional to the momentum of the said variable. Gauge-invariant relational observables for the area of 2-spheres, the Kretschmann scalar, and the expansion scalar of null geodesic are constructed via group averaging (G-twirl) and evaluated on physical states. We find that the Kretschmann and expansion scalars remain finite throughout the black hole, while the area of 2-spheres is bounded below by a minimum value proportional to the uncertainty in the system variable, which is the other configuration variable distinct from the clock variable. In particular, the expansion scalar vanishes and changes sign at the quantum bounce, establishing a black-hole-to-white-hole transition. These results hold for any general clock whose operator forms a canonical pair with the clock Hamiltonian, and require no specific quantization scheme other than the Schrodinger representation. The singularity resolution emerges directly from relationality, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and the structure of the physical Hilbert space.