The mysterious expansion of our universe has long puzzled scientists, and now a new theory suggests that this phenomenon could be linked to the existence of an “anti-universe.” This concept, reminiscent of the multiverse often explored in science fiction, proposes the existence of multiple worlds, or, in this case, two parallel universes. Naman Kumar, a PhD student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), presents this groundbreaking idea in his recently published papers in Gravitation and Cosmology and Europhysics Letters.
Kumar’s theory delves into the earliest stages of the universe, incorporating the quantum phenomenon of matter generation. He posits that during the Big Bang, with every particle of matter created, a corresponding particle of anti-matter was also formed. This simultaneous creation, according to Kumar, suggests that alongside our universe, an anti-universe also came into being.
Kumar’s hypothesis further elaborates that this anti-universe acted as a twin to our own, but with one key difference: it behaved in an opposite manner. This dual existence, he theorizes, is likely responsible for the rapid expansion of both universes. “After working on the problems of dark matter and dark energy, I can say that either we accept that general relativity is correct and we live in a dark universe with these elusive and peculiar dark matter particles and dark energy, or we accept that we live in a higher dimensional multiverse,” Kumar stated in a dialogue with ScienceX.
If Kumar’s theory holds true, it would mean that humanity has been living in a multiverse without ever realizing it. The concept of a multiverse, where different worlds exist parallel to ours, has long been a popular plot in TV shows and movies. However, Kumar’s research brings this idea from the realm of fiction into the scientific arena.
In a related but distinct line of inquiry, other scientists are challenging the very existence of the universe as we know it. According to a study that questions several models about the universe’s birth, our universe—and, by extension, all of us—shouldn’t exist at all. This research is based on two key premises: primordial black holes and the Higgs boson particle.
The Higgs field, which gives everything mass, plays a critical role in this theory. If the Higgs field were to fall to its lowest possible energy state, it would drastically alter the laws of physics. Experts suggest that such a collapse would create “bubbles” of space that do not conform to the current laws of physics.
The introduction of primordial black holes into this scenario further complicates things. According to current models, these black holes formed in the first seconds after the Big Bang and evaporated quickly. However, in that brief period, they could have impacted the Higgs field, potentially triggering the creation of these destabilizing bubbles everywhere. This interaction, according to the study, should have prevented the formation of anything in the universe.
