Spectral properties of the quantum Mixmaster universe

We study the spectral properties of the anisotropic part of Hamiltonian entering the quantum dynamics of the Mixmaster universe. We derive the explicit asymptotic expressions for the energy spectrum in the limit of large and small volumes of the universe. Then we study the threshold condition between both regimes. Finally we prove that the spectrum is purely discrete for any volume of the universe. Our results validate and improve the known approximations to the anisotropy potential. They should be useful for any approach to the quantization of the Mixmaster universe.
Comment: Version accepted by Phys. Rev. D