Ekpyrotic universe

The ekpyrotic universe (/ˌɛkpɪˈrɑːtɪk/, AHD: /ĕk′pī- since the ekpyrotic and cyclic models predict that no B-
rŏt′ĭk/)[1] is a cosmological model of the early universe mode patterns should be observed.
that explains the origin of the large-scale structure of the
cosmos. The model has also been incorporated in the
cyclic universe theory (or ekpyrotic cyclic universe the-
ory), which proposes a complete cosmological history,
both the past and future.

3 Implications for cosmology

1 Origins
The original ekpyrotic model was introduced by Justin A key advantage of ekpyrotic and cyclic models is that
Khoury, Burt Ovrut, Paul Steinhardt and Neil Turok in they do not produce a multiverse. This is important, be-
2001. Steinhardt created the name based on the early cause, when the effects of quantum fluctuations are prop-
word ekpyrosis (Ancient Greek: ἐκπύρωσις, ekpurōsis, erly included in the big bang inflationary model, they pre-
“conflagration”); it refers to an ancient Stoic cosmolog- vent the universe from achieving the uniformity and flat-
ical model in which the universe is caught in an eternal ness that the cosmologists are trying to explain. Instead,
cycle of fiery birth, cooling and rebirth.[2] inflated quantum fluctuations cause the universe to break
up into patches with every conceivable combination of
The name is well-suited to the theory, which addresses physical properties. Instead of making clear predictions,
the fundamental question that remains unanswered by the the big bang inflationary theory allows any outcome, so
big bang inflationary model: what happened before the that the properties we observe may be viewed as random
big bang? The explanation, according to the ekpyrotic chance, resulting from the particular patch of the mul-
theory, is that the big bang was actually a big bounce, tiverse in which the Earth resides. Most regions of the
a transition from a previous epoch of contraction to the multiverse would have very different properties.
present epoch of expansion. The key events that shaped
our universe occurred before the bounce, and, in a cyclic Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg has suggested that if the
version, the universe bounces at regular intervals.[3] multiverse is true, “the hope of finding a rational expla-
nation for the precise values of quark masses and other
constants of the standard model that we observe in our
big bang is doomed, for their values would be an acci-
2 Applications of the theory dent of the particular part of the multiverse in which we
live.”[4]
The original ekpyrotic models relied on string theory,
branes and extra dimensions, but most contemporary The idea that the properties of our universe are an acci-
ekpyrotic and cyclic models use the same physical in- dent and come from a theory that allows a multiverse of
gredients as inflationary models (quantum fields evolving other possibilities is hard to reconcile with the fact that
in ordinary space-time). The theory has shown impres- the universe is extraordinarily simple (uniform and flat)
sive success in accurately describing what we know so on large scales and that elementary particles appear to be
far about our universe. It predicts a uniform, flat uni- described by simple symmetries and interactions. Also,
verse with patterns of hot spots and cold spots now vis- the accidental concept cannot be falsified by an experi-
ible in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), and ment since any future experiments can be viewed as yet
has been confirmed by the WMAP and Planck satellite other accidental aspects.
experiments. Discovery of the CMB was originally con- In ekpyrotic and cyclic models, smoothing and flattening
sidered a landmark test of the big bang, but proponents occurs during a period of slow contraction, so quantum
of the ekpyrotic and cyclic theories have shown that the fluctuations are not inflated and cannot produce a multi-
CMB is also consistent with a big bounce, as posited by verse. As a result, the ekpyrotic and cyclic models predict
the ekpyrotic and cyclic theories. The search for primor- simple physical properties that are consistent with current
dial gravitational waves in the CMB (which produce pat- experimental evidence without producing a multiverse.
terns of polarized light known as B-modes) may eventu- This makes these models valuable and, at the same time,
ally help scientists distinguish between the rival theories, vulnerable since they can be falsified by experiments.

1
2 6 FURTHER READING

4 See also
• Cosmic inflation
• Cyclic model
• Physical cosmology

5 Notes and references

[1] “Ekpyrotic Definition and Pronunciation”. American
Heritage Dictionary. Retrieved October 30, 2016.

[2] 'The dissolution of the universe into fire'. In Stoic phi-

losophy, ekpyrosis, all-engulfing cosmic fire, represents
the contractive phase of eternally-recurring destruction
and re-creation. On “ekpyrosis” see generally Michael
Lapidge, 'Stoic Cosmology,' in John M. Rist, The Sto-
ics, Cambridge University Press, 1978, pp. 161–186, pp.
180–184.

[3] Steinhardt, P. J.; Turok, N. (2002-04-25). “A

Cyclic Model of the Universe”. Science. 296
(5572): 1436–1439. Bibcode:2002Sci...296.1436S.
PMID 11976408. arXiv:hep-th/0111030v2 .
doi:10.1126/science.1070462.

[4] Weinberg, Steven (November 20, 2007). “Physics: What

we do and don't know”. The New York Review of Books.

6 Further reading
• P. J. Steinhardt and N. Turok, Endless Universe: Be-
yond the Big Bang, Doubleday, 2007.
• A Brief Introduction to the Ekpyrotic Universe by
Steinhardt, Paul J., Department of Physics, Prince-
ton University.
• Greene, Brian, The Elegant Universe: Superstrings,
Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate
Theory, Vintage (2000).
• Kallosh, Renata, Kofman, Lev and Linde, Andrei,
Pyrotechnic Universe (the first paper to point out
problems with the theory).
• Whitehouse, David, "Before the Big Bang". BBC
News. April 10, 2001.
• Discover Magazine, Before the Big Bang February
2004 issue.
• Parallel Universes, (BBC Two 9.00pm Thursday
February 14, 2002).
• 'Brane-Storm' Challenges Part of Big Bang Theory.
• Yi-Fu Cai, Damien A. Easson, Robert Branden-
berger, Towards a Nonsingular Bouncing Cosmol-
ogy, arXiv:1206.2382, (June 2012).
 3

7 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

7.1 Text
• Ekpyrotic universe Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekpyrotic_universe?oldid=784913959 Contributors: Bryan Derksen, Roadrun-
ner, Bth, Wapcaplet, Sannse, Reddi, Lord Kenneth, JerryFriedman, David Gerard, Barbara Shack, Herbee, Lockeownzj00, Julianon-
ions, Rich Farmbrough, Pjacobi, El C, Art LaPella, Stesmo, 9SGjOSfyHJaQVsEmy9NS, Jeodesic, MCiura, Monado, Snowolf, Jordan14,
Joke137, YurikBot, Lexicon, 2over0, Closedmouth, SmackBot, Hammiesink, Pwjb, JorisvS, Dreftymac, Skapur, Buddy13, SJGSM, Lavat-
eraguy, Banedon, Nishidani, Thijs!bot, The Captain Returns, Headbomb, Peter Gulutzan, R'n'B, Joshua Issac, VolkovBot, NDUTU~enwiki,
UnitedStatesian, Kennison, Hrafn, Singinglemon~enwiki, Kwork2, Addbot, DOI bot, Se'taan, OlEnglish, MuZemike, Luckas-bot, Omni-
paedista, Bgagaga, SpaceFlight89, Reaper Eternal, WillNess, Theoar, ClueBot NG, Georalex1, Flying Fische, Bibcode Bot, Davidiad,
ChrisGualtieri, Jp4gs, Steven Rogers, Monkbot, Ceosad, Waters.Justin, Rubbish computer, Tetra quark, Sleepy Geek, TheHecster, Qua-
siopinionated, Chemistry1111, Marianna251, ViamarisBalbi, GeneSobolev and Anonymous: 26

7.2 Images
• File:Ilc_9yr_moll4096.png Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Ilc_9yr_moll4096.png License: Public do-
main Contributors: http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/media/121238/ilc_9yr_moll4096.png Original artist: NASA / WMAP Science Team
• File:Lock-green.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg License: CC0 Contributors: en:File:
Free-to-read_lock_75.svg Original artist: User:Trappist the monk

7.3 Content license

• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0