Fewster, Chris orcid.org/0000-0001-8915-5321 and Kontou, Eleni orcid.org/0000-0003-4409-8188 (2022) A semiclassical singularity theorem. Classical and Quantum Gravity. 075028. ISSN 1361-6382
Abstract
Quantum fields do not satisfy the pointwise energy conditions that are assumed in the original singularity theorems of Penrose and Hawking. Accordingly, semiclassical quantum gravity lies outside their scope. Although a number of singularity theorems have been derived under weakened energy conditions, none is directly derived from quantum field theory. Here, we employ a quantum energy inequality satisfied by the quantized minimally coupled linear scalar field to derive a singularity theorem valid in semiclassical gravity. By considering a toy cosmological model, we show that our result predicts timelike geodesic incompleteness on plausible timescales with reasonable conditions at a spacelike Cauchy surface.
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 The Author(s) | ||||
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Institution: | The University of York | ||||
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Mathematics (York) | ||||
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Depositing User: | Pure (York) | ||||
Date Deposited: | 17 Feb 2022 11:10 | ||||
Last Modified: | 06 Dec 2023 14:36 | ||||
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/ac566b | ||||
Status: | Published | ||||
Refereed: | Yes | ||||
Identification Number: | https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/ac566b | ||||
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Filename: Fewster_2022_Class._Quantum_Grav._39_075028.pdf
Description: A semiclassical singularity theorem
Licence: CC-BY 2.5