Quantum theory of the Lemaître model for gravitational collapse
摘要
We investigate the quantum fate of the classical singularities that occur by gravitational collapse of a dust cloud. For this purpose, we address the quantization of a model first proposed by Georges Lemaître in 1933. We find that the singularities can generically be avoided. This is a consequence of unitary evolution in the quantum theory, whereby the quantum dust cloud collapses, bounces at a minimal radius and re-expands.