English

Topological Pattern Formation

Astrophysics 2007-05-23 v1 General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

Abstract

We provide an informal discussion of pattern formation in a finite universe. The global size and shape of the universe is revealed in the pattern of hot and cold spots in the cosmic microwave background. Topological pattern formation can be used to reconstruct the geometry of space, just as gravitational lensing is used to reconstruct the geometry of a lens.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9907166,
  title  = {Topological Pattern Formation},
  author = {Janna Levin and Imogen Heard},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9907166},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

3 pages, contribution to the conference proceedings for the ``Cosmological Topology in Paris'' (CTP98) workshop