GENERALIZED QUANTIZATION PRINCIPLE IN CANONICAL QUANTUM GRAVITY AND APPLICATION TO QUANTUM COSMOLOGY

Abstract

In this paper, a generalized quantization principle for the gravitational field in canonical quantum gravity, especially with respect to quantum geometrodynamics is considered. This assumption can be interpreted as a transfer from the generalized uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics, which is postulated as generalization of the Heisenberg algebra to introduce a minimal length, to a corresponding quantization principle concerning the quantities of quantum gravity. According to this presupposition there have to be given generalized representations of the operators referring to the observables in the canonical approach of a quantum description of general relativity. This also leads to generalized constraints for the states and thus to a generalized Wheeler–DeWitt equation determining a new dynamical behavior. As a special manifestation of this modified canonical theory of quantum gravity, quantum cosmology is explored. The generalized cosmological Wheeler–DeWitt equation corresponding to the application of the generalized quantization principle to the cosmological degree of freedom is solved by using Sommerfelds polynomial method.