In a groundbreaking simulation, an international team of physicists has modeled the potential transition of the universe from a false vacuum to a true vacuum state. This event, if it were to occur, would fundamentally alter the cosmos' structure.
Around 50 years ago, quantum field theory proposed that our universe might be trapped in a false vacuum, a seemingly stable state that could collapse into a lower energy true vacuum. While improbable on human timescales, this process could instantaneously change the universe's fundamental constants, leading to its collapse.
Led by Professor Zlatko Papic from the University of Leeds and Dr. Jaka Vodeb from the Jülich Supercomputing Centre, the team employed a quantum annealing algorithm, using a 5564-qubit device developed by D-Wave Quantum Inc. This "refrigerator" modeled the behavior of bubbles within a false vacuum, which could trigger the transition to a new state of the universe.
"We are talking about a process by which the universe would completely change its structure. The fundamental constants could be altered instantaneously, and the world, as we know it, would collapse like a house of cards," Professor Papic stated, emphasizing the discovery's magnitude.
The simulation visualized the formation and expansion of bubbles in a false vacuum, akin to liquid bubbles forming in cooled water vapor. These results offer insights into how similar processes might have occurred shortly after the Big Bang and how they could affect the universe's future evolution.
Dr. Jean-Yves Desaules, co-author and postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), compared it to a roller coaster with multiple valleys, where only one represents the lowest energy state. "If this model is correct, quantum mechanics would allow the universe to eventually fall into that true vacuum state, triggering a catastrophic event on a cosmic level."
Published this month in Nature Physics, the study marks a milestone in understanding quantum dynamics and a significant advancement in developing these systems. Researchers believe analyzing these transitions will improve their ability to manage errors and solve complex problems, with applications in cryptography, materials science, and computational efficiency.
"These advances not only expand the limits of our knowledge but also open the door to future technologies that could revolutionize multiple fields," Dr. Vodeb concluded. The research, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Leverhulme Trust, demonstrates that exploring the universe's mysteries does not always require multi-million dollar experiments in large particle accelerators. Quantum annealing algorithms could become tabletop laboratories for studying fundamental cosmic dynamic processes.