Quantum-reduced loop gravity: Cosmology

We introduce a new framework for loop quantum gravity: mimicking the spin foam quantization procedure we propose to study the symmetric sectors of the theory imposing the reduction weakly on the full kinematical Hilbert space of the canonical theory. As a first application of quantum-reduced loop gravity we study the inhomogeneous extension of the Bianchi I model. The emerging quantum cosmological model represents a simplified arena on which the complete canonical quantization program can be tested. The achievements of this analysis could elucidate the relationship between loop quantum cosmology and the full theory. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.87.083521