Loop quantum Brans-Dicke cosmology

Abstract

The spatially flat and isotropic cosmological model of Brans-Dicke theory with coupling parameter $\omega\neq-3/2$ is quantized by the approach of loop quantum cosmology. An interesting feature of this model is that, although the Brans-Dicke scalar field is non-minimally coupled with curvature, it can still play the role of an emergent time variable. In the quantum theory, the classical differential equation which represents cosmological evolution is replaced by a quantum difference equation. The effective Hamiltonian and modified dynamical equations of loop quantum Brans-Dicke cosmology are also obtained, which lay a foundation for the phenomenological investigation to possible quantum gravity effects in cosmology. The effective equations indicate that the classical big bang singularity is again replaced by a quantum bounce in loop quantum Brans-Dicke cosmology.