Abhay Vasant Ashtekar, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor Martin Bojowald, Committee Chair/Co-Chair Murat Gunaydin, Committee Member Nigel David Higson, Special Member
Keywords:
loop quantum cosmology black holes dynamical horizons
Abstract:
Black holes and the big bang beginning of the universe are among the most spectacular predictions of general relativity, having a broad impact that ranges from observational astronomy to quantum gravity.
In this thesis we will focus on classical and quantum aspects of these subjects: In the first part we present a coordinate-free way of describing the approach to equilibrium of black holes within the framework of dynamical and isolated horizons. In the second part we focus on loop quantum cosmology. We present a uniqueness theorem of its kinematics, and explore the possible ways to implement its dynamics via path integrals.
