Expansion after the Big Bang: Alternative to cosmological inflation presented
Right after the Big Bang, the universe supposedly expanded faster than the speed of light. Now an alternative theory exists containing no speculative elements.
Current theories assume that the universe expanded at a speed faster than light immediately after the Big Bang (far left).
(Image: ESO/M. Kornmesser)
A European research team claims to have formulated a theory about the development of the universe immediately after the Big Bang that does not require the faster-than-light expansion known as cosmic inflation. This has now been made public by the University of Barcelona, where study leader Raúl Jiménez works. The theory, which has already been independently verified and is now being published, does not require the modifiable parameters needed for the established model. The fact that it does not require these “arbitrary” variables is a “significant breakthrough” that is also consistent with other astronomical observations.
“Simple and verifiable”
The model of cosmic inflation was developed over 40 years ago to explain how the universe apparently expanded faster than the speed of light immediately after its creation. This solved some problems in cosmology, such as the great uniformity of the universe. However, the model has not yet been conclusively confirmed. Jiménez's team now points out that it contains “too many” parameters that can be adjusted. This makes it difficult to determine whether it actually enables accurate predictions or whether it merely adapts to the available data. Their alternative does not require hypothetical fields or particles to explain the observations.
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Their as yet unnamed model suggests that quantum fluctuations in space-time were sufficient to account for the slight differences in density that later enabled the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets. The group assures us that this could also be verified by observation. It is a “minimalist but powerful and elegant explanation that can potentially be refuted.” No speculative elements are needed, explains Jiménez. A deeper understanding of gravity and quantum physics could suffice. The article “Inflation without an inflaton” has now been published in the journal Physical Review Research.
The idea comes eleven years after a research team claimed to have discovered traces of cosmological inflation. However, this was proven false a few months later, and the conclusions were rejected as too far-reaching( – now even described as worthy of a Nobel Prize – ). This is one of the reasons why cosmological inflation remains only a theoretical construct. Jiménez now explains that this is not a purely philosophical question. The aim is also to answer fundamental questions about who we are and where we come from.
(mho)
