Hervé Bergeron

Integral quantizations with two basic examples

Abstract The paper concerns integral quantization, a procedure based on operator-valued measure and resolution of the identity. We insist on covariance properties in the important case where group representation theory is involved. We also insist on the inherent probabilistic aspects of this classical–quantum map. The approach includes and generalizes coherent state quantization. Two applications based on group representation are carried out. The first one concerns the Weyl–Heisenberg group and the euclidean plane viewed as the corresponding phase space. We show that a world of quantizations exist, which yield the canonical commutation rule and the usual quantum spectrum of the harmonic oscillator. The second one concerns the affine group of the real line and gives rise to an interesting regularization of the dilation origin in the half-plane viewed as the corresponding phase space.

Singularity avoidance in a quantum model of the Mixmaster universe

We present a quantum model of the vacuum Bianchi-IX dynamics. It is based on four main elements. First, we use a compound quantization procedure: an affine coherent state quantization for isotropic variables and a Weyl quantization for anisotropic ones. Second, inspired by standard approaches in molecular physics, we make an adiabatic approximation (Born-Oppenheimer-like approximation). Third, we expand the anisotropy potential about its minimum in order to deal with its harmonic approximation. Fourth, we develop an analytical treatment on the semiclassical level. The resolution of the classical singularity occurs due to a repulsive potential generated by the affine quantization. This procedure shows that during contraction the quantum energy of anisotropic degrees of freedom grows much slower than the classical one. Furthermore, far from the quantum bounce, the classical recollapse is reproduced. Our treatment is put in the general context of methods of molecular physics, which can include both adiabatic and nonadiabatic approximations.

Smooth quantum dynamics of the mixmaster universe

We present a quantum version of the vacuum Bianchi IX model by implementing ane coherent state quantization combined with a Born-Oppenheimer-like adiabatic approximation. The analytical treatment is carried out on both quantum and semiclassical levels. The resolution of the classical singularity occurs by means of a repulsive potential generated by our quantization procedure. The quantization of the oscillatory degrees of freedom produces a radiation energy density term in the semiclassical constraint equation. The Friedmann-like lowest energy eigenstates of the system are found to be dynamically stable.

Vibronic framework for quantum mixmaster universe

Following our previous papers concerning the quantization of the vacuum Bianchi-IX model within or beyond the Born-Oppenheimer and adiabatic approximation, we develop a more elaborate analysis of the dynamical properties of the model based on the vibronic approach utilized in molecular physics. As in the previous papers, we restrict our approach to the harmonic approximation of the anisotropy potential in order to obtain resoluble analytical expressions.

Quantizations from (P)OVM's

We explain the powerful role that operator-valued measures can play in quantizing any set equipped with a measure, for instance a group (resp. group coset) with its invariant (resp. quasi-invariant) measure. Coherent state quantization is a particular case. Such integral quantizations are illustrated with two examples based on the Weyl-Heisenberg group and on the affine group respectively. An interesting application of the affine quantization in quantum cosmology is mentioned, and we sketch a construction of new coherent states for the hydrogen atom.

Spectral properties of the quantum Mixmaster universe

We study the spectral properties of the anisotropic part of Hamiltonian entering the quantum dynamics of the Mixmaster universe. We derive the explicit asymptotic expressions for the energy spectrum in the limit of large and small volumes of the universe. Then we study the threshold condition between both regimes. Finally we prove that the spectrum is purely discrete for any volume of the universe. Our results validate and improve the known approximations to the anisotropy potential. They should be useful for any approach to the quantization of the Mixmaster universe.

Symmetric deformed binomial distributions: An analytical example where the Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy is not extensive

Asymptotic behavior (with respect to the number of trials) of symmetric generalizations of binomial distributions and their related entropies is studied through three examples. The first one has the q-exponential as the generating function, the second one involves the modified Abel polynomials, and the third one has Hermite polynomials. We prove analytically that the Renyi entropy is extensive for these three cases, i.e., it is proportional (asymptotically) to the number n of events and that q-exponential and Hermite cases have also extensive Boltzmann-Gibbs. The Abel case is exceptional in the sense that its Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy is not extensive and behaves asymptotically as the square root of n. This result is obtained numerically and also confirmed analytically, under reasonable assumptions, by using a regularization of the beta function and its derivative. Probabilistic urn and genetic models are presented for illustrating this remarkable case.

Quantum theory of the Bianchi II model

(Received 17 June 2014; published 15 August 2014)We describe the quantum evolution of the vacuum Bianchi II universe in terms of the transitionamplitudebetweentwoasymptoticquantumKasner-likestates.Forlargevaluesofthemomentumvariable,the classical and quantum calculations give similar results. The difference occurs for small values of thisvariable due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Our results can be used, to some extent, as a buildingblock of the quantum evolution of the vacuum Bianchi IX universe.

Coherent States Quantization and Affine Symmetry in Quantum Models of Gravitational Singularities

We employ the framework of affine covariant quantization and associated semiclassical portrait to address two main issues in the domain of quantum gravitational systems: (i) the fate of singularities and (ii) the lack of external time. Our discussion is based on finite-dimensional, symmetry-reduced cosmological models. We show that the affine quantization of the cosmological dynamics removes the classical singularity and univocally establishes a unitary evolution. The semiclassical portrait based on the affine coherent states exhibits a big bounce replacing the big-bang singularity. As a particularly interesting application, we derive and study a unitary quantum dynamics of the spatially homogenous, closed model, the Mixmaster universe. At the classical level it undergoes an infinite number of oscillations before collapsing into a big-crunch singularity. At the quantum level the singularity is shown to be replaced by adiabatic and nonadiabatic bounces. As another application, we consider the problem of time. We derive semiclassical portraits of quantum dynamics of the Friedman universe with respect to various internal degrees of freedom. Next we compare them and discuss the nature of quantum evolution of the gravitational field.