The Einstein static universe in loop quantum cosmology

Loop quantum cosmology (LQC) strongly modifies the high-energy dynamics of Friedmann–Robertson–Walker models and removes the big-bang singularity. We investigate how LQC corrections affect the stability properties of the Einstein static universe. In general relativity, the Einstein static model with positive cosmological constant Λ is unstable to homogeneous perturbations. Using dynamical system methods, we show that LQC gravitational modifications can lead to an Einstein static model which is neutrally stable for a large enough positive value of Λ.