Loop quantum cosmology: A brief introduction

Quantum geometric effects, as understood in loop quantum gravity, lead to a resolution of singularities in various spacetimes in loop quantum cosmology. A generic prediction of several models investigated so far is the existence of bounce in the Planck regime. We outline the quantization procedure for the spatially flat isotropic homogeneous model with a massless scalar field, which has served as a template for the loop quantization of various models. Key properties of the bounce and physical implications are discussed