The Quantum Evolution of the Closed Friedman Universe with “Bouncing Off”

Abstract

The homogeneous and isotropic closed Friedmanuniverse evolution in higher-order gravity theories isconsidered. The model takes into account vacuumpolarisation of conformal and nonconformal fields. That leads to the following addition in the Einsteinlagrangian: R2 ln |R/R0|. Near theregular minimum of the scale factor the model has ananalytical solution depending on an integration constantC. If |R/R0| > 1, the solution passes through the regularminimum, experiences inflation with a decreasing valueof R and approaches to the critical value R =R0. In the interval |R/R0| < 1,the solutions have non-linear oscillations (i.e. the scalaronstage). On this stage of the evolution the universe isfilled with relativistic plasma. The continuoustransition through the critical point R = R0is possible in only one type of solution, the separatrix.Though other solutions have no features in this point,they experience the discontinuity in derivatives of R.It is unsuitable since higher-order gravity theories are considered. Thus the measure of continuoussolutions giving a hot universe is negligible. Howeversolutions of the model can be continued in the imaginarytime. In such a case the Euclidean action will have a non-zero value because of the spaceclosed boundedness of the universe and the finiteness ofthe imaginary time interval (instanton). The last allowsus to calculate the probability of the quantum tunnelling of the Friedman universe from theinflation region into the scalaron region.