{"title":"Wheeler–DeWitt equation and the late gravitational collapse: Effects of factor ordering and the tunneling scenario","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.aop.2024.169773","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We set up the Wheeler–DeWitt (WDW) equation for late gravitational collapse. The fact that the gravitational collapse and the expanding/ collapsing universe can be described within the realm of the Robertson–Walker metric renders the corresponding WDW equation for collapsing matter a timeless Schrödinger equation. We explore the consequences of such an equation and find the density to be quantized in terms of the Planck density. Apart from that, the wave function as a solution of the WDW equation shows that the initial singularity is avoided. We concentrate on different factor orderings in the kinetic term of the equation and show how after splitting off an exponential ansatz, new polynomials entering the solution can be constructed. This enables us to conclude that the factor ordering changes the details of the solution and interpretation, but overall on a qualitative level the results remain the same. We also probe into the effects of a positive cosmological constant. It offers the possibility of a tunneling scenario at the cosmological horizon.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8249,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Annals of Physics","FirstCategoryId":"101","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003491624001805","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PHYSICS, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
We set up the Wheeler–DeWitt (WDW) equation for late gravitational collapse. The fact that the gravitational collapse and the expanding/ collapsing universe can be described within the realm of the Robertson–Walker metric renders the corresponding WDW equation for collapsing matter a timeless Schrödinger equation. We explore the consequences of such an equation and find the density to be quantized in terms of the Planck density. Apart from that, the wave function as a solution of the WDW equation shows that the initial singularity is avoided. We concentrate on different factor orderings in the kinetic term of the equation and show how after splitting off an exponential ansatz, new polynomials entering the solution can be constructed. This enables us to conclude that the factor ordering changes the details of the solution and interpretation, but overall on a qualitative level the results remain the same. We also probe into the effects of a positive cosmological constant. It offers the possibility of a tunneling scenario at the cosmological horizon.
期刊介绍:
Annals of Physics presents original work in all areas of basic theoretic physics research. Ideas are developed and fully explored, and thorough treatment is given to first principles and ultimate applications. Annals of Physics emphasizes clarity and intelligibility in the articles it publishes, thus making them as accessible as possible. Readers familiar with recent developments in the field are provided with sufficient detail and background to follow the arguments and understand their significance.
The Editors of the journal cover all fields of theoretical physics. Articles published in the journal are typically longer than 20 pages.