The wavefunction of a quantum S 1 × S 2 universe

Abstract We study quantum gravity corrections to the no-boundary wavefunction describing a universe with spatial topology S 1 × S 2. It has been suggested that quantum effects become increasingly important when the size of the circle is large relative to the sphere. In this paper, we confirm this cl...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gustavo J. Turiaci, Chih-Hung Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of High Energy Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2025)158
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849334049060945920
author Gustavo J. Turiaci
Chih-Hung Wu
author_facet Gustavo J. Turiaci
Chih-Hung Wu
author_sort Gustavo J. Turiaci
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We study quantum gravity corrections to the no-boundary wavefunction describing a universe with spatial topology S 1 × S 2. It has been suggested that quantum effects become increasingly important when the size of the circle is large relative to the sphere. In this paper, we confirm this claim by an explicit four-dimensional one-loop calculation of the gravitational path integral preparing such a state. In the process, we clarify some aspects of the gravitational path integral on complex spacetimes. These quantum corrections play a crucial role in ensuring that the norm of the wavefunction is naturally expressed in terms of a path integral over S 2 × S 2 at the classical level. We extend some of the analysis to more general spatial topologies, as well as to the inclusion of fermions.
format Article
id doaj-art-df066f2448604d2a8cd4e1feabab8868
institution Kabale University
issn 1029-8479
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher SpringerOpen
record_format Article
series Journal of High Energy Physics
spelling doaj-art-df066f2448604d2a8cd4e1feabab88682025-08-20T03:45:40ZengSpringerOpenJournal of High Energy Physics1029-84792025-07-012025715010.1007/JHEP07(2025)158The wavefunction of a quantum S 1 × S 2 universeGustavo J. Turiaci0Chih-Hung Wu1Department of Physics, University of WashingtonDepartment of Physics, University of WashingtonAbstract We study quantum gravity corrections to the no-boundary wavefunction describing a universe with spatial topology S 1 × S 2. It has been suggested that quantum effects become increasingly important when the size of the circle is large relative to the sphere. In this paper, we confirm this claim by an explicit four-dimensional one-loop calculation of the gravitational path integral preparing such a state. In the process, we clarify some aspects of the gravitational path integral on complex spacetimes. These quantum corrections play a crucial role in ensuring that the norm of the wavefunction is naturally expressed in terms of a path integral over S 2 × S 2 at the classical level. We extend some of the analysis to more general spatial topologies, as well as to the inclusion of fermions.https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2025)158Cosmological modelsde Sitter spaceModels of Quantum Gravity
spellingShingle Gustavo J. Turiaci
Chih-Hung Wu
The wavefunction of a quantum S 1 × S 2 universe
Journal of High Energy Physics
Cosmological models
de Sitter space
Models of Quantum Gravity
title The wavefunction of a quantum S 1 × S 2 universe
title_full The wavefunction of a quantum S 1 × S 2 universe
title_fullStr The wavefunction of a quantum S 1 × S 2 universe
title_full_unstemmed The wavefunction of a quantum S 1 × S 2 universe
title_short The wavefunction of a quantum S 1 × S 2 universe
title_sort wavefunction of a quantum s 1 s 2 universe
topic Cosmological models
de Sitter space
Models of Quantum Gravity
url https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2025)158
work_keys_str_mv AT gustavojturiaci thewavefunctionofaquantums1s2universe
AT chihhungwu thewavefunctionofaquantums1s2universe
AT gustavojturiaci wavefunctionofaquantums1s2universe
AT chihhungwu wavefunctionofaquantums1s2universe