English

Conceptual issues in quantum cosmology

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2007-05-23 v1

Abstract

I give a review of the conceptual issues that arise in theories of quantum cosmology. I start by emphasising some features of ordinary quantum theory that also play a crucial role in understanding quantum cosmology. I then give motivations why spacetime cannot be treated classically at the most fundamental level. Two important issues in quantum cosmology -- the problem of time and the role of boundary conditions -- are discussed at some length. Finally, I discuss how classical spacetime can be recovered as an approximate notion. This involves the application of a semiclassical approximation and the process of decoherence. The latter is applied to both global degrees of freedom and primordial fluctuations in an inflationary Universe.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.gr-qc/9906100,
  title  = {Conceptual issues in quantum cosmology},
  author = {Claus Kiefer},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/9906100},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

31 pages, LATEX, needs Springer macro cl2emult.cls, 3 eps-figures, contribution for the Karpacz winter school 1999