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Is our universe decaying at an astronomical rate?

Authors :
Page, Don N.
Source :
Physics Letters B. Nov2008, Vol. 669 Issue 3/4, p197-200. 4p.
Publication Year :
2008

Abstract

Abstract: Unless our universe is decaying at an astronomical rate (i.e., on the present cosmological timescale of Gigayears, rather than on the quantum recurrence timescale of googolplexes), it would apparently produce an infinite number of observers per comoving volume by thermal or vacuum fluctuations (Boltzmann brains). If the number of ordinary observers per comoving volume is finite, this scenario seems to imply zero likelihood for us to be ordinary observers and minuscule likelihoods for our actual observations. Hence, our observations suggest that this scenario is incorrect and that perhaps our universe is decaying at an astronomical rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
03702693
Volume :
669
Issue :
3/4
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Physics Letters B
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
35071406
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2008.08.039