From classical chaos to decoherence in Robertson-Walker cosmology

TL;DR

This paper explores how classical chaos and particle creation are interconnected in Robertson-Walker cosmology, suggesting particle production as a key factor in decoherence and the quantum-classical transition.

Contribution

It demonstrates the correlation between chaos and particle creation in specific cosmological models and links particle production to decoherence and the quantum-to-classical transition.

Findings

Chaos and particle production occur together in certain models

Particle production acts as a seed for decoherence

Decoherence facilitates the quantum to classical transition

Abstract

We analyse the relationship between classical chaos and particle creation in Robertson-Walker cosmological models with gravity coupled to a scalar field. Within our class of models chaos and particle production are seen to arise in the same cases. Particle production is viewed as the seed of decoherence, which both enables the quantum to classical transition, and ensures that the correspondence between the quantum and classically chaotic models will be valid