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False vacuum
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In quantum field theory, a false vacuum[1] is a hypothetical vacuum state that is locally stable but does not occupy the most stable possible ground state.[2] In this condition it is called metastable. It may last for a very long time in this state, but could eventually decay to the more stable one, an event known as false vacuum decay. The most common suggestion of how such a decay might happen in our universe is called bubble nucleation – if a small region of the universe by chance reached a more stable vacuum, this "bubble" (also called "bounce")[3][4] would spread.
A false vacuum exists at a local minimum of energy and is therefore not completely stable, in contrast to a true vacuum, which exists at a global minimum and is stable.
- ^ Abel, Steven; Spannowsky, Michael (2021). "Quantum-Field-Theoretic Simulation Platform for Observing the Fate of the False Vacuum". PRX Quantum. 2: 010349. arXiv:2006.06003. doi:10.1103/PRXQuantum.2.010349. S2CID 234355374.
- ^ "Vacuum decay: the ultimate catastrophe". Cosmos Magazine. 2015-09-13. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
fatewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Markkanen, Tommi; Rajantie, Arttu; Stopyra, Stephen (2018). "Cosmological Aspects of Higgs Vacuum Metastability". Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. 5: 40. arXiv:1809.06923. Bibcode:2018FrASS...5...40R. doi:10.3389/fspas.2018.00040. S2CID 56482474.
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