Speaker
Description
Quantum cosmology is the application of quantum theory to
the universe as a whole. It is based on a theory of quantum gravity. Such a
theory is not yet available in final form, but there are promising approaches.
Based on one such approach, quantum geometrodynamics, which arises from
the application of established quantization rules to Einstein's theory of
general relativity, I discuss observational predictions in quantum cosmology.
These predictions are mainly concerned with the spectrum of the
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation. I shall argue that already the
presently observed power spectrum of density fluctuations can be
interpreted as a quantum gravity effect. Corrections to the measured
power spectrum are proportional to the inverse Planck mass squared and
are thus very small. They can be calculated precisely
from quantum geometrodynamics, but are too small to be observed by
existing satellite missions. I discuss prospects for the future.
My talk is partly based on: L. Chataignier, C. Kiefer, P. Moniz,
Classical and Quantum Gravity 40 (2023) 223001 [arXiv:2306.14948]
