Time in quantum gravity by weakening the Hamiltonian constraint

Abstract

We replace the usual Hamiltonian constraint of quantum gravity H|psi>=0 by a weaker one <psi|H|psi>=0. This allows |psi> to satisfy the time-dependent functional Schrodinger equation. In general, only the phase of the wave function appears to be time independent. The resulting quantum theory has the correct classical limit and thus provides a viable theory of quantum gravity that solves the problem of time without introducing additional nongravitational degrees of freedom.