Quantum Instability of the Emergent Universe

Abstract

We perform a semi-classical analysis of the Emergent Universe scenario for inflation. Fixing the background, and taking the inflaton to be homogenous, we cast the inflaton's evolution as a one-dimensional quantum mechanics problem. We find that the tuning required over a long time scale for this inflationary scenario is unstable quantum mechanically. Considering the inflaton field value as a wavepacket, the spreading of the wavepacket destroys any chance of both starting and ending with a well-formed state. Thus, one cannot have an Einstein static universe to begin with that evolves into a well-defined beginning to inflation a long time later.

7 pages; v2: very minor changes, matches version published in PRD

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• Emergent scenario in the Einstein-Cartan theory
• Emergent universe in spatially flat cosmological model
• Stability of Einstein static universe in gravity theory with a non-minimal derivative coupling
• Stability of the Einstein static Universe in Einstein-Cartan-Brans-Dicke gravity
• Emergent scenario in mimetic gravity
• Oscillating and Static Universes from a Single Barotropic Fluid
• Einstein's Field Equations as a Fold Bifurcation
• Analytical approximations for primordial power spectra in a spatially closed emergent universe
• Emergent universe: tensor perturbations within the CSL framework
• Emergent universe revisited through the CSL theory
• The nucleation of false vacuum bubbles with compact geometries
• Is a Quantum Gravity Era Necessary?