Related papers: Return of the Boltzmann Brains
We conjecture the following entropy bound to be valid in all space-times admitted by Einstein's equation: Let A be the area of any two-dimensional surface. Let L be a hypersurface generated by surface-orthogonal null geodesics with…
We consider the possibility of a past and future eternal universe, constructing geodesically complete inflating, loitering, and bouncing spacetimes. We identify the constraints energy conditions in General Relativity place on the building…
In this article I will explore some uses of the concept of Boltzmann brains in comics (Marvel's The Incredible Hercules), an animated sitcom (Futurama) and a film (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2). Previous similar uses of the concept…
This contribution inquires into Clausius' proposal that "the entropy of the world tends to a maximum.'" The question is raised whether the entropy of "the world" actually does have a maximum; and if the answer is "Yes!," what such states of…
We derive the gauge invariant perturbation equations for a 5-dimensional bulk spacetime in the presence of a brane. The equations are derived in full generality, without specifying a particular energy content of the bulk or the brane. We do…
Eternal inflation is a seemingly generic consequence of theories that give rise to accelerated expansion of the universe and possess multiple vacuum states. Making predictions in an eternally inflating universe is notoriously difficult…
In this paper, we study the Newtonian limit for relativistic Boltzmann equation in a periodic box $\mathbb{T}^3$. We first establish the global-in-time mild solutions of relativistic Boltzmann equation with uniform-in-$\mathfrak{c}$…
We comment on a recent paper by L. Baum and P. H. Frampton [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 071301 (2007)] where it was argued that the entropy problem can be resolved in a peculiar cyclic universe model through a deflation mechanism (i.e., the…
We investigate the cosmological consequences of a brane-world theory which incorporates time variations in the gravitational coupling G and the cosmological term Lambda. We analyze in detail the model where (dG/dt)/G ~ H and Lambda ~ H^2,…
A dynamical estimate is given for the Boltzmann entropy of the Universe, under the simplifying assumptions provided by Newtonian cosmology. We first model the cosmological fluid as the probability fluid of a quantum-mechanical system. Next,…
If the universe expands exponentially without end, ``ordinary observers'' like ourselves may be vastly outnumbered by ``Boltzmann's brains,'' transient observers who briefly flicker into existence as a result of quantum or thermal…
We calculate the probability distribution for the volume of the Universe after slow-roll inflation both in the eternal and in the non-eternal regime. Far from the eternal regime the probability distribution for the number of e-foldings,…
This work is concerned with the generation of decay estimates in the velocity variable for solutions of the space-inhomogeneous Boltzmann equation without cutoff on a bounded spatial domain for hard and moderately soft potentials. We work…
For the spatially inhomogeneous, non-cutoff Boltzmann equation posed in the whole space $\mathbb R^3_x$, we establish pointwise lower bounds that appear instantaneously even if the initial data contains vacuum regions. Our lower bounds…
The definition of probabilities in eternally inflating universes requires a measure to regulate the infinite spacetime volume, and much of the current literature uses a global time cutoff for this purpose. Such measures have been found to…
We provide a very general argument showing that the Universe must have kept its quantum memories from an epoch much earlier than $60$ e-foldings before the end of inflation. The point is that a generic system of enhanced memory storage…
Solutions of Einstein's equations are found for global defects in a higher-dimensional spacetime with a nonzero cosmological constant Lambda. The defect has a (p-1)-dimensional core (brane) and a `hedgehog' scalar field configuration in the…
Given the observed cosmic acceleration, Leonard Susskind has presented the following argument against the Hartle-Hawking no-boundary proposal for the quantum state of the universe: It should most likely lead to a nearly empty large de…
We consider the four dimensional discontinuity generated by two identical pieces of a five dimensional space pasted along their edge (that is a "brane" in a "$Z_2$-symmetric" "bulk"). Using a four plus one decomposition of the Riemann…
It has recently been shown that in single field slow-roll inflation the total volume cannot grow by a factor larger than e^(S_dS/2) without becoming infinite. The bound is saturated exactly at the phase transition to eternal inflation where…