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Cited by 133Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity TheoriesCosmology and Gravitation TheoriesBlack Holes and Theoretical Physics

Arrow of time in a recollapsing quantum universe

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Kiefer, C., Zeh, H. D.·1995·Physical Review D
DOI 10.1103/physrevd.51.4145
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Abstract

We argue that the Wheeler-DeWitt equation with a consistent boundary condition is only compatible with an arrow of time that formally reverses in a recollapsing universe. To recover a classically recollapsing universe in terms of wave packets, we impose the usual boundary condition of excluding exponentially increasing wave functions for large scale factors. Consistency of these opposite arrows is then facilitated by quantum effects in the region of the classical turning point. We also discuss in this context the meaning of the time-asymmetric expression used in the definition of ``consistent histories.'' Since gravitational time dilation diverges at horizons, one has to conclude that collapsing matter must start reexpanding ``anticausally'' (controlled by the reversed arrow) in this scenario before horizons or singularities can form. There would then also be no mass inflation nor any information loss paradox.

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  • Every observer in this quantum universe would only be able to see an expanding universe.

    “Every observer in this quantum universe would thus only be able to see an expanding universe (Kiefer and Zeh 1995).”

    From On a quantum Weyl curvature hypothesis (2022) · cites this paper as Kiefer and Zeh 1995

  • In a classically recollapsing universe, the quantum theory does not distinguish between the regions with a classical big bang and a classical big crunch; they correspond to the same region in configuration space with small a.

    “Since the quantum theory does not distinguish between the regions with a classical big bang and a classical big crunch (they both correspond to the same region in configuration space with small a ), imposing low entropy for the 'big bang' directly leads to low entropy for the 'big crunch'.”

    From On a quantum Weyl curvature hypothesis (2022) · cites this paper as Kiefer and Zeh 1995

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Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 35

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Kiefer, C., & Zeh, H. D.
Affiliations
University of Freiburg (DE)
ORCID
Kiefer, C.
Venue
Physical Review D
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Published
1995-04-15
Volume
51
Issue
8
Pages
4145-4153
ISSN
0556-2821 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1103/physrevd.51.4145
OpenAlex
W1985544149
Cited by
133
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
FWCI
2.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
link.aps.org/licenses/aps-default-license (vor)
Locations
  • Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fields (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
Keywords
arrow of time, Wheeler-DeWitt equation, boundary conditions, wave packets, consistent histories, gravitational time dilation, horizon, mass inflation, black hole information paradox, quantum cosmology, turning points

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