Possibility that the universe is a false vacuum

It is possible that our present universe is itself in a state of false vacuum, with dark energy representing the nonzero vacuum energy density. This is part of the chaotic inflation theory. If this is correct, then parts of our universe might be expected to decay to a true vacuum state at some point in the distant future. It is important to note that if this did in fact take place (formation of a true vacuum) our universe would cease to exist behind a wall of ever expanding "un-reality". The result is a universe that would exist within a new set of physics different from our own, a universe where we (earth) couldn't possibly exist. If true, the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics may prevent this calamity.

Approach without warning

The scary thing is that this can occur naturally and there is little possibility of escaping the event, as it would travel at the speed of light. This would give no warning of its approach, since you would not be able to see it due to its speed and direction three dimensional spherical form.

This has not happened during the 13 billion years or more that the universe has existed. This probably means the universe is sufficiently stable to support our continued existence. Since the universe has lasted so very long it is very unlikely to disintegrate within the next thousand years or even within the next million years.

Despite this we may have been lucky. The anthropic principle shows that observers can only exist in a universe or in part of a universe which lasts sufficiently long for stars like the Sun and planets like Earth to develop. We may be in a false vacuum, which has lasted unusually long. In more typical regions there may be no observers. It may also be quite usual for a universe to last as long as ours has. Cosmologists do not know enough to say which is true.

End of our existence

Below is a New Scientist article which is not available on the Internet without subscription quoted by another author.

There is speculation about the Quantum Zeno effect.

Pocket universe

One might assume we can escape our reality by producing a type of "pocket universe" making it possible to step outside our reality but you would eventually run out of the limited resources you brought with you and there is no guarantee that the "New universe" would be stable enough to allow your structure to exist in its state.

Many worlds quantum mechanics

The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics predicts that the universe will not end this way -provided many worlds is true-.

Each time a quantum event happens which causes the universe to decay from false vacuum to true vacuum the universe splits. In one or more new world the universe decays. In the other new world or worlds the universe continues as before. Quantum events can increase the number of worlds where the universe has decayed. The number of worlds where the universe has not decayed will never decrease. There is a parallel with the proposed quantum suicide experiment where the experimenter will not die in all worlds provided the Many-worlds interpretation is true.

The above does not prove the Many-worlds interpretation correct for 2 reasons.

1. Scientists do not universally accept that the universe is a false vacuum or that it should have decayed to a true vacuum by now.

2. There are other reasons why the universe may have survived. Consciousness causes collapse or The strong anthropic principle could also explain it.

The above may increase the probability that Many-worlds is true.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu