What is space?

[Mordred]

I like this discussion, it's very interesting. Allow me to share some thoughts on the matter, although I don't claim to be trained in cosmology.

 

The one definition of space that I like is "Space is where physical processes take place". I know, it's quite primary school'ish but I still like it. With that definition in mind I can't help but ask whether or not we can view space as merely a volume (or space-time as volume+time) in separation from the mass-energy that populates it? Does it even make sense to talk about 'empty space'?

 

If we can talk about it on its own than it's all simple - we're just left with 3 spatial dimensions and one time dimension that defines space.

 

If we can't view space in separation from mass-energy than space would also have a curvature as an inherent characterictic. Obviously, on a cosmological scale the space is considered flat but locally the curvature can be anything.

 

The universe is modeled as a 3d volume with 1 time dimension, it is possible to create a universe model void of any matter or particles, one such example is the Milne universe.

which is a specialized flat Minkowski space

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milne_model

 

the Milne universe has its uses in showing how a universe could behave if there is no matter, its useful for comparison purposes, Barbera Rydens Introductory to Cosmology has various toy universe where she removes various influences, and then shows how the universe would behave, She steps it through single component and multi-component universes. Its an excellent textbook and out of the 12 that I own she is the only one that does so.

[pavelcherepan]

Thanks Mordred! I'll try to find this book and have a read.

[MigL]

The mathematical model used for the calculation of the vacuum, zero point energy uses harmonic oscillators ( doesn't everything in physics ? ) at all points and then considers boundary conditions to obtain a cut-off energy. Like you said Mordred, this gives a value over a hundred orders of magnitude higher than expected. This is the only model I've ever come across.

Can you explain or point out a source for info on Higgs field metastability and its connection to false or real zero point vacuum energy and the cosmological constant.

[Mordred]

yes there is numerous research papers on this

The Standard Model Higgs boson as the inflaton

http://arxiv.org/abs/0710.3755

About the role of the Higgs boson in the evolution of the early universe

http://arxiv.org/abs/1406.3658

Linear Inflation from Running Kinetic Term in Supergravity

http://arxiv.org/abs/1406.3658

Higgs inflation and the cosmological constant

http://arxiv.org/abs/1402.3738

Higgs mass implications on the stability of the electroweak vacuum

http://arxiv.org/abs/1112.3022

Multifield Dynamics of Higgs Inflation

http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.8190

 

here is a review paper on the Higg's boson sector itself

STATUS OF HIGGS BOSON PHYSICS

http://pdg.lbl.gov/2013/reviews/rpp2013-rev-higgs-boson.pdf

here is a lengthy dissertation

Aspects of Higgs Physics and New Physics at the LHC

http://digbib.ubka.uni-karlsruhe.de/volltexte/documents/3064085

 

that should provide lots of reading material lol, the particle model that best describes the Higg's sector is the SO(10) the SO(10) group is the Higg's sector itself there is numerous variations of the SO(10) sector some of which is covered in the dissertation above.

 

there is some further coverage here concerning the SO(10) and GUT

Aspects of Symmetry Breaking in Grand Unified Theories

http://arxiv.org/pdf/1110.3210.pdf

 

here is a paper discussing the SO(10) and the BICEP2 data

From B Modes to Quantum Gravity and Unification of Forces

http://arxiv.org/abs/1404.0634

 

in my opinion this line of research has the strongest possibilities, though we do need more data in the TeV energy levels, all to these papers require the Higg's metastability seesaw mechanism. There may be two seesaw mechanisms however the standard model Higg's only has one. seesaw I

 

Essentially the Higg's boson has a left hand and right hand Higg's (matter, antimatter variations) the right hand Higg's is the antimatter variant. How the two interact with each other is the seesaw mechanism. At high enough temperatures the Higg's loses coherence leading to the possibility of other Higg's masses other than the 126 Gev Higg's the seesaw mechanism has a Mexican hat potential,

see image on this page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higgs_mechanism

Edited July 13, 2014 by Mordred

[matterdoc]

Space is a functional entity, presupposed by rational beings, whenever they think about existence of real entities. It is a container of real entities without limits, form or structure. Space extents to infinity means that matter-bodies can be found however far you go.

Nainan