Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Conventions and notation
- 1 Modeling the early universe
- 2 Blowing up the universe: inflation
- 3 Observing perturbative quantum gravity: fluctuations
- 4 Quantizing gravity: canonical approach
- 5 Quantizing gravity: path integral approach
- 6 Linking gravity, quantum theory, and thermodynamics
- 7 Creating space and time: the no-boundary proposal
- 8 Interpreting the wave function
- 9 Transitioning to different spacetimes
- 10 Going deeper yet: stringy cosmology
- Appendix A Constants of nature and cosmological quantities
- Appendix B Picard{Lefschetz theory and saddle-point approximation
- Appendix C Useful functions
- Appendix D Solutions to exercises
- Appendix E Guide to the bibliography
- Bibliography
- Index
1 - Modeling the early universe
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 February 2026
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Conventions and notation
- 1 Modeling the early universe
- 2 Blowing up the universe: inflation
- 3 Observing perturbative quantum gravity: fluctuations
- 4 Quantizing gravity: canonical approach
- 5 Quantizing gravity: path integral approach
- 6 Linking gravity, quantum theory, and thermodynamics
- 7 Creating space and time: the no-boundary proposal
- 8 Interpreting the wave function
- 9 Transitioning to different spacetimes
- 10 Going deeper yet: stringy cosmology
- Appendix A Constants of nature and cosmological quantities
- Appendix B Picard{Lefschetz theory and saddle-point approximation
- Appendix C Useful functions
- Appendix D Solutions to exercises
- Appendix E Guide to the bibliography
- Bibliography
- Index
HTML view is not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the 'Save PDF' action button.
Summary
Provides a review of how the standard model of cosmology is built up, emphasizing the interplay between theory and observations. The Robertson–Walker line element is derived and used to find the Friedmann equations. Elementary solutions are discussed. In this way the hot big bang model emerges. Its implications are discussed, especially the thermal history of the universe and the existence of the cosmic microwave background radiation. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the main puzzles of the hot big bang model.
Keywords
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Quantum CosmologyAn Introduction, pp. 1 - 30Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
Accessibility standard: Inaccessible, or known limited accessibility
Why this information is here
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.Accessibility Information
The PDF of this chapter is known to have missing or limited accessibility features.
We may be reviewing its accessibility for future improvement, but final compliance is
not yet assured and may be subject to legal exceptions. If you have any questions,
please contact
accessibility@cambridge.org.
Content Navigation
Table of contents navigation
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Index navigation
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Reading Order & Textual Equivalents
Single logical reading order
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
Short alternative textual descriptions
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
You have
Access