Homogeneous-isotropic sector of loop quantum gravity: new approach

Abstract

Recently, a new class of scalar constraint operators has been introduced in loop quantum gravity. They are defined on a space of solutions to the Gauss constraint and partial solutions to the vector constraint, called a vertex Hilbert space. We propose a subspace of the vertex Hilbert space formed by homogeneous-isotropic states, which is invariant under the action of the new scalar constraint operators. As a result, the operators can be reduced to our homogeneous-isotropic subspace. The (generalized) eigenstates of the reduced operator are eigenstates of the full operator. We discuss the feasibility of numerical diagonalization of the reduced scalar constraint operator.