Quantization of Bianchi Models in N=1 Supergravity with a Cosmological Constant

Abstract

We study the quantization of some cosmological models within the theory of N=1 supergravity with a positive cosmological constant. We find, by imposing the supersymmetry and Lorentz constraints, that there are no physical states in the models we have considered. For the k=1 Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model, where the fermionic degrees of freedom of the gravitino field are very restricted, we have found two bosonic quantum physical states, namely the wormhole and the Hartle-Hawking state. From the point of view of perturbation theory, it seems that the gravitational and gravitino modes that are allowed to be excited in a supersymmetric Bianchi-IX model contribute in such a way to forbid any physical solutions of the quantum constraints. This suggests that in a complete perturbation expansion we would have to conclude that the full theory of N=1 supergravity with a non-zero cosmological constant should have no physical states.