The idea of parallel universes has been the baseline of many science fiction films and series for decades, but this idea has been a challenge for theoretical astrophysicists who try to explain the nature of subatomic particles, atoms and planets.
Now a group of cosmologists, who study the early universe, believe that they have found a way to find those signs that definitely prove the existence of other multiverses. Experts say that parallel universes basically inhabit the same physical space as we do and when they collide, they leave behind traces in the cosmos which we can detect.
After looking at the background echo radiation of the microwaves, which exists from the beginning of the universe, researchers have found unusual holes or “hot spots” that could be indicative of a disruption caused by “friction” with other universes.
Dr Eugene Lim, a lecturer in theoretical particle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, explained that other universes exist in the same physical space as ours.
He said: “Indeed, they inevitably must collide, leaving possible signatures in the cosmic sky which we can try to search for. The exact details of the signatures depend intimately on the models – ranging from cold or hot spots in the cosmic microwave background to anomalous voids in the distribution of galaxies.
Nevertheless, since collisions with other universes must occur in a particular direction, a general expectation is that any signatures will break the uniformity of our observable universe”
Dr Lim said that the idea of ??”multiple universes” appeared as part of a theory to unify quantum mechanics and gravity.
Experts believe that the ‘hidden dimensions’ are curled or ‘compactified’ and are too small to be detectable, occurring in an infinite number of ways.
But what about the Big Bang? Experts believe that after the Big Bang there was a period of rapid expansion of the universe known as the “cosmic inflation”. However, the generally accepted theory claims that some parts of the universe are still growing rapidly.
“This means that the universe is eternally inflating.
Some parts can therefore end up becoming other universes, which could become other universes [and so on]. This mechanism generates an infinite number of universes.
By combining this scenario with string theory, there is a possibility that each of these universes possesses a different compactification of the extra dimensions and hence has different physical laws,” Dr Lim explained.
If scientists are able to identify specific signatures in the Cosmic Microwave Background, it would be possible to discover the form that these universes have.
Dr Lim added: “These signatures are actively being pursued by scientists. Some are looking for it directly through imprints in the cosmic microwave background, and others are looking for indirect support such as gravitational waves, which are ripples in space-time as massive objects pass through.
Such waves could directly prove the existence of inflation, which ultimately strengthens the support for the multiverse theory.
Whether we will ever be able to prove their existence is hard to predict. But given the massive implications of such a finding it should definitely be worth the search.”
References:
https://app.griffith.edu.au/news/2014/10/27/new-quantum-theory-is-out-of-this-parallel-world/
http://www.iflscience.com/physics/physicist-predicts-parallel-universes-overlap-and-interact