Semiclassical study of the mixmaster model: The quantum Kasner map

According to the Belinski-Khalatnikov-Lifshitz conjecture, close to a spacelike singularity different spatial points decouple, and the dynamics can be described in terms of the mixmaster (vacuum Bianchi IX) model. In order to understand the role played by quantum-gravity effects in this context, in the present work we consider the semiclassical behavior of this model. Classically, this system undergoes a series of transitions between Kasner epochs, which are described by a specific transition law. This law is derived based on the conservation of certain physical quantities and the rotational symmetry of the system. In a quantum scenario, however, fluctuations and higher-order moments modify these quantities, and consequently also the transition rule. In particular, we perform a canonical quantization of the model and then analytically obtain the modifications of this transition law for semiclassical states peaked around classical trajectories. The transition rules for the quantum moments are also obtained, and a number of interesting properties are derived concerning the coupling between the different degrees of freedom. More importantly, we show that, due to the presence of quantum-gravity effects and contrary to the classical model, there appear certain finite ranges of the Kasner parameters for which the system will not undergo further transitions and will follow a Kasner regime until the singularity. Even if a more detailed analysis is still needed, this feature points toward a possible resolution of the classical chaotic behavior of the model. Finally, a numerical integration of the equations of motion is also performed in order to verify the obtained analytical results.