Spacetime Geometry May Generate Fundamental Forces and Particle Mass, Theory Suggests

Theoretical physics is advancing a concept wherein the geometry of space itself, rather than acting as a passive background, may serve as the generative source for fundamental forces and elementary particles. This paradigm shift extends Albert Einstein's geometric description of gravity, suggesting that characteristics of matter and force could emerge directly from complex shapes within unseen, extra spatial dimensions.

In research published in Nuclear Physics B on December 15, 2025, Richard Pincak and collaborators presented a model where particle masses, including those of the W and Z bosons, arise from intricate configurations within a seven-dimensional space mathematically defined as G2-manifolds. This approach offers an alternative to the Standard Model's reliance on the Higgs field, proposing instead that mass originates from the geometry's intrinsic resistance to deformation.

A central mechanism in this theory involves torsion, defined as an intrinsic rotational strain embedded within these extra-dimensional structures. When these twisted configurations evolve via the G2-Ricci flow—a mathematical process altering internal geometry—they can stabilize into patterns called solitons. These stable solitons are posited as the geometric explanation for processes such as spontaneous symmetry breaking, a critical element in particle physics.

The theory further connects this geometric torsion to the large-scale curvature of spacetime, potentially offering a mechanism to account for the positive cosmological constant driving the universe's accelerating expansion. Historically, torsion in modified Einstein-Cartan theories has been linked to cosmological consequences, including cosmic acceleration.

The research team has also speculated on the existence of a novel particle associated with this geometric torsion, named the "Torstone." This hypothetical particle, if it exists, would manifest as a stable concentration of energy formed by trapped geometric torsion and might become observable in future high-precision experiments probing spacetime effects. The overarching objective is to construct a unified geometric framework encompassing gravity alongside the strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces, aligning with the principle of nature favoring elegant solutions.

G2-manifolds are seven-dimensional Riemannian manifolds that are Ricci-flat and orientable, frequently studied in the context of M-theory compactification to yield realistic four-dimensional physics. The mathematical study of G2-structures, whose group is one of the five exceptional simple Lie groups, underpins this work. By proposing that mass arises from the geometry of hidden dimensions rather than an external field, this research represents a significant extension of Einstein's geometric vision for physics.