The choice of the area operator in loop quantum gravity is by no means unique. In addition to the area operator commonly used in loop quantum gravity there is also an area operator introduced by Krasnov in 1998, which gives uniformly spaced area spectra for the horizons of spacetime. Using Krasnov’s area operator we consider the thermodynamics of spherically symmetric spacetimes equipped with horizons in loop quantum gravity. Among other things, our approach implies, in a pretty simple manner, that every horizon of spacetime emits thermal radiation and possesses entropy which, in the natural units, is one-quarter of its area. When applied to the de Sitter spacetime loop quantum gravity provides an explanation both to the presence and the smallness of the cosmological constant.

• Received 9 May 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.91.124050