A radical new theory that rewrites the story of the first universe

After the big explosion, Our world expanded at a loud rate. According to this theory, known as cosmic inflation, explosive growth produced small amounts of small amount that later developed into galaxies. Cosmic inflation exactly explains how our world has become great and mostly homogeneous, and for this reason has remained a strong theory of cosmology for decades.

But it is far from perfection. Cosmic inflation depends on some theoretical assumptions that can become somewhat arbitrary – not ideal for a theory that is supposed to explain the reason for the appearance of our world as it does. This deficiency that was defending the theoretical physicist Raul Jiminiz From the University of Barcelona in Spain to derive an alternative approach to dismantling the dynamics of the very early universe. The resulting proposal, published earlier this month in Physical review researchIt seeks to eliminate excessive circumstantial parameters in traditional models that have made it difficult for physicists to agree on one theory.

The proposal, which was developed by Jiménez and its colleagues, is a relatively simple model that was often based on well -understood principles for quantum mechanics and general relativity. It begins with the assumption of the presence of the very early universe in the so -called a IncubatorAnd who sees that the universe is a flat -shaped vacuum governed by general relativity. According to quantum mechanics, applying some energy to this – that is, the big explosion – generates quantum fluctuations that lead to stress modes, or gravitational waves. These waves are organically classified from the small density of the density throughout the universe, and those small bits eventually evolved into galaxies, stars and planets, according to the theory.

Traditional inflationary critics argue that they have many adjustable parameters. One of these parason is Inflaton – virtual numerical fields that physicists have a rapid expansion in the early universe. But the new theory removes Inflaton from the image, and replaces it with the DE Sitter space that is shaken by gravitational waves.

The new theory removes many adjustable parameters is a great reward. “There is no general principle that defines these things, so you mainly need to put them in hand,” explained Arthur KosovskyPetsburg University scientist does not participate in the new work, in an email to Gizmodo. “Physicists always seek to make models and theories that are somewhat simple as possible, which means that the number of arbitrary things that you need to put in the hand is as small as possible.”

In an ideal world, it should not require a theory or solid model of many adjustable variables. There is a similar problem with the comprehensive standard model, which features 18 free parameters that you need to solve every time. “Spending a lot of blood, sweat, tears (and money) because most people are convinced that there must be a better and more powerful model for him two or three teacher instead of 18,” said Kososki.

Indeed, finding a simple, convincing explanation of early cosmic inflation is what motivated the new work. He said that the strength of this theory is that it is “completely fake”, meaning that it can either or cannot explain the monitoring data. However, this is also the weak theory, which Jiminiz admitted: “Perhaps nature did not choose this theory as a way to do things.”

Of course, the most valuable thing in the extended theories is that they tell us what no The work added. (Although this may seem superficial, physicists often employ something similar to the process of eliminating unknown phenomena, such as dark matter.) As for the newly proposed theory of Gimennez, it is fair to ask whether it will continue to note note and survive for more sports scrutiny.

“I love the comprehensive philosophy that leads this paper,” which is), “let’s see whether we can reach a situation in which inflation arises naturally from some basic physics.” If we can, this is more elegant than adding some speculation, somewhat, to some extent, arbitrary material elements, and it is also possible that you will make more specified forecasts, which can then be compared to the notes. “

“I think it is an interesting and new suggestion – it’s something worthy Andrew LedelTheoretical world scientist at the Institute of Astronomical Physics and Space Science (IA) at Lisbon University in Portugal, during a video call with Gizmodo. He said that at the same time, its simplicity could be its biggest defect, but the only time that will determine whether cosmologists who think more about thinking about it.

“There were always uncomfortable cosmologists (theory). I am one of them – and I am working on it.” Courty MarinaAlso with IA, in the same call. “One of the most comfortable things about inflation is that physicists understand everything from the big explosion, but not the big explosion and the early stages.”

Lidde and Cortês, both of whom are not involved in the new work, said that while universe (including themselves) often disagree about the best way to explain cosmic inflation, the evidence appears to support the idea that inflation actually happened. Lidel explained that many physicists have invented alternative explanations, but everything in practice has ended in “garbage” of neglected ideas.

“But there is no limit to people’s imagination,” he said. The next few decades should not see any lack of new ideas and models – such as one, according to the scientists of the universe.

Lidel said: “Copaology now revolves around these things that are called tensions, or hints that things are not well compatible with the standard cosmic model.” Cortês added that many of the questions that threaten the rape of what we know about the material universe – the energy of Dark, and the tension of Hubble – are gathering in a contradictory package for scientists, and inflation can be part of that.

Regardless of what is happening, without saying that we are witnessing a time of excitement, chaos and discovery of cosmology – a feeling approved by all scholars.

“Data not only grows in mineal quantities, but the quality of the analysis also grows with licking quality,” said Gamenies. “I think we are living a golden age of cosmology.”

“When we think about inflation, we try to take the next step and answer a question Why “The universe looks as it is, not just a description of what it looks. It can be, and this is what makes us work hard to decrease the limits of our understanding,” said Kososki.