Quantum graviton creation in a model universe

Abstract

Quantization in the spatially inhomogeneous, anisotropic, Gowdy three-torus solution of Einstein's equations leads to the production of gravitons from empty space. The creation of pairs of gravitons occurs only in wave modes with wavelength exceeding the horizon size at an initial time. The final number of created gravitons in any mode is proportional to the number of causally unconnected regions at the initial time over the wavelength of that mode. At large times, graviton number is well defined since the solution is in WKB form. The creation process produces the anisotropic collisionless radiation identical to that discussed by Doroshkevich, Zel'dovich, and Novikov which characterizes the large time classical solution. Near the singularity, the model behaves like an empty Bianchi Type I universe at each point in space (local Kasner). The canonical methods of Arnowitt, Deser, and Misner yield a reduced Hamiltonian from which the classical equations of motion are obtained. The quantization of the rapidly varying gravitational field component resembles the procedures used by Parker or Zel'dovich et al. to study particle creation in curved spacetime.