Master constraint operators in loop quantum gravity

We introduce a master constraint operator Mˆ densely defined in the diffeomorphism invariant Hilbert space in loop quantum gravity, which corresponds classically to the master constraint in the programme. It is shown that Mˆ is positive and symmetric, and hence has its Friedrichs self-adjoint extension. The same conclusion is tenable for an alternative master operator Mˆ′, whose quadratic form coincides with the one proposed by Thiemann. So the master constraint programme for loop quantum gravity can be carried out in principle by employing either of the two operators.