Beyond the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker Big Bang singularity

Abstract

Einstein's equation, in its standard form, breaks down at the Big Bang singularity. A new version, equivalent to Einstein's whenever the latter is defined, but applicable in wider situations, is proposed. The new equation remains smooth at the Big Bang singularity of the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker model. It is a tensor equation defined in terms of the Ricci part of the Riemann curvature. It is obtained by taking the Kulkarni-Nomizu product between Einstein's equation and the metric tensor.

To appear in CTP, 8 pages, 1 figure