On the meaning of the wave function of the Universe

Abstract

The meaning of the wave function of the Universe was actively discussed in 1980s. In most works on quantum cosmology, it is accepted that the wave function is a probability amplitude for the Universe to have some space geometry, or to be found in some point of the Wheeler superspace. It seems that the wave function gives maximally objective description compatible with quantum theory. However, the probability distribution does not depend on time and does not take into account the existing of our macroscopic evolving Universe. What we wish to know is how quantum processes in the Early Universe determined the state of the present Universe in which we are able to observe macroscopic consequences of these quantum processes. As an alternative to the Wheeler–DeWitt quantum geometrodynamics, we consider the picture that can be obtained in the extended phase space approach to quantization of gravity. The wave function in this approach describes different states of the Universe which correspond to different stages of its evolution.