From a false vacuum to a true vacuum?

In summary, the conversation is discussing the possibility of a vacuum going through a phase transition from a false vacuum state to a true vacuum state, and the potential implications on fundamental forces and particles. The answer to the question asked is "yes".
  • #1
Suekdccia
351
27
TL;DR Summary
Can vacuum transitions change fundamental particles and fields?
In theory (please correct me if I am wrong in any point), if our vacuum were metastable (i.e. in a "false vacuum" state), it could go through a phase transition into a stable state (a "true vacuum" state). Depending on the properties of the new vacuum, fundamental forces and particles could change or even be replaced by other new ones.

This is only a theoretical mental exercise, but assume that our Standard Model was found to be in a stable vacuum state, or even complete. Also, assume that an enormous energetic event or something similar caused the "true" vacuum to be metastable and decay.

Would this new transitions (from the true vacuum to a false one and the decaying) change the fundamental particles and forces of nature or even replacing them by new other ones?
 
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  • #3
Demystifier said:
Short answer - yes.
I noticed I messed up with the title so I would like to clarify and confirm:

What I was asking is whether a transition to a false vacuum from an initial true vacuum state (via an energy input from somewhere) and then letting that excited metastable vacuum decay into a lower state (or even return to the previous initial true vacuum ground state) would change the fundamental forces, fields and particles, or even replace them with completely different ones. Is the answer still "yes"?
 

FAQ: From a false vacuum to a true vacuum?

What is a false vacuum?

A false vacuum is a metastable state that appears to be stable but is not the lowest energy state of a system. In quantum field theory, it is a local minimum of the potential energy that is not the absolute minimum. The system can remain in this state for a long time but may eventually transition to a more stable state, known as the true vacuum.

What is a true vacuum?

A true vacuum is the state of a system that represents the lowest possible energy level. In the context of quantum field theory, it is the global minimum of the potential energy. A true vacuum is considered to be absolutely stable, and any system in a false vacuum would eventually transition to this state.

How does the transition from a false vacuum to a true vacuum occur?

The transition from a false vacuum to a true vacuum typically occurs through a process called quantum tunneling. In this process, the system can spontaneously tunnel through the energy barrier separating the false vacuum from the true vacuum, leading to the formation of a bubble of true vacuum that expands and converts the surrounding false vacuum into true vacuum.

What are the implications of a vacuum transition for the universe?

If a transition from a false vacuum to a true vacuum were to occur in our universe, it could have catastrophic consequences. The true vacuum would have different physical constants, and the expansion of the true vacuum bubble could alter the fundamental forces and particles, potentially destroying all structures in the universe as we know them.

Has a vacuum transition ever been observed?

No, a vacuum transition from a false vacuum to a true vacuum has never been observed. It remains a theoretical concept within the framework of quantum field theory and cosmology. Current observations suggest that our universe is in a stable or metastable state, but the possibility of a future transition cannot be entirely ruled out.

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