Speaker
Prof.
Martin Bojowald
(Penn. State Univ., USA)
Description
A discrete structure of space and time is often expected to result from a
quantum theory of gravity. Loop quantum gravity realizes this clearly at
least for space while time, in such a canonical quantization, is handled
more indirectly. Cosmological scenarios show how the discreteness of time,
unnoticeable at current scales, becomes an important feature in the early
universe. It plays a crucial role in resolving the classical big bang
singularity and in opening the door to a universe before the big bang.
While this happens independently of what matter is prevalent at the big
bang, parity violating effects do have a bearing on the relation between
pre- and post-big bang branches. They may be important to discern the
origin of the universe.
