Dynamics in canonical models of loop quantum gravity

Abstract

In this thesis we consider the problem of dynamics in canonical loop quantum gravity, primarily in the context of deparametrized models, in which a scalar field is taken as a physical time variable for the dynamics of the gravitational field. The dynamics of the quantum states of the gravitational field is then generated directly by a physical Hamiltonian operator, instead of being implicitly defined through the kernel of a Hamiltonian constraint. We introduce a new construction of a Hamiltonian operator for loop quantum gravity, which has both mathematical and practical advantages in comparison to earlier proposals. Most importantly, the new Hamiltonian can be constructed as a symmetric operator, and is therefore a mathematically consistent candidate for a generator of physical time evolution in deparametrized models. We develop methods for approximately evaluating the dynamics generated by a given physical Hamiltonian, even if an exact solution to the eigenvalue problem of the Hamiltonian cannot be achieved. We also introduce a new representation for intertwiners in loop quantum gravity, based on projecting intertwiners onto coherent states of angular momentum, and in which intertwiners are represented as polynomials of certain complex variables, and operators in loop quantum gravity are expressed as differential operators acting on these variables. In addition to reviewing the results of the author's scientific work, this thesis also gives a thorough introduction to the basic framework of canonical loop quantum gravity, and a self-contained presentation of the graphical formalism for SU(2) recoupling theory, which is the invaluable tool for performing practical calculations in loop quantum gravity. The author therefore hopes that parts of this thesis could serve as a comprehensible source of information for anyone interested in learning the elements of loop quantum gravity.