Vacuum up-tunneling with high-energy events?

In summary, "Vacuum up-tunneling with high-energy events" discusses the phenomenon of quantum tunneling occurring in a vacuum state, particularly under conditions of high energy. The paper explores the implications of such tunneling processes on particle interactions and the fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics, emphasizing how high-energy events can facilitate or alter tunneling pathways. The findings may have significant consequences for theoretical physics, particularly in scenarios involving particle accelerators and cosmic events.
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Vacuum up-tunneling with high-energy events?
I was reading these papers by Sean Carroll (https://arxiv.org/abs/1405.0298; https://arxiv.org/abs/1505.02780) in which, among other things, he argues against vacuum up-tunneling occurring in the universe. He only acknowledged that it would be possible in the first moments of the universe while it was heated, but after that the rate goes to zero.

Meanwhile, vacuum energy can be excited by high energetic events like high energy cosmic rays. I thought that cosmic rays, being massive particles, were not redshfited by the expansion of the universe as photons are; therefore, if cosmic rays were produced in the big bang or as a result of a previous false vacuum decay, then these particles could eventually excite the vacuum, essentially causing an up-tunneling.

However, apparently cosmic rays can get redshifted as well (https://astronomy.stackexchange.com...alent-of-the-red-shift-effect-for-cosmic-rays). Then, is it impossible that cosmic rays may excite the vacuum in the future? Is there any kind of energy that does not get "redshifted" and therefore could cause an up-tunneling of the vacuum? Is it really utterly impossible to excite the vacuum?
 

FAQ: Vacuum up-tunneling with high-energy events?

What is vacuum up-tunneling?

Vacuum up-tunneling refers to a quantum mechanical process where a particle transitions from a lower energy state to a higher energy state through a potential barrier, without having enough energy to overcome the barrier classically. This phenomenon is significant in fields like cosmology and particle physics, especially in scenarios involving high-energy events.

How does vacuum up-tunneling relate to high-energy events?

High-energy events, such as those occurring in particle collisions or during cosmic phenomena, can create conditions that enhance the likelihood of vacuum up-tunneling. In these scenarios, the energy levels can be sufficiently high to allow particles to tunnel through potential barriers, leading to the creation of new particles or states of matter.

What are the implications of vacuum up-tunneling in cosmology?

In cosmology, vacuum up-tunneling is thought to play a crucial role in the early universe's inflationary phase, where a false vacuum state transitions to a true vacuum state. This process can lead to rapid expansion of the universe and has implications for the formation of structures and the overall dynamics of cosmic evolution.

Can vacuum up-tunneling lead to the creation of new particles?

Yes, vacuum up-tunneling can lead to the creation of new particles. When a particle tunnels through a potential barrier, it can result in the production of additional particles, especially in high-energy environments. This is particularly relevant in particle accelerators and astrophysical phenomena, where such transitions can be observed.

What experimental evidence supports vacuum up-tunneling?

Experimental evidence for vacuum up-tunneling is primarily derived from high-energy physics experiments, such as those conducted at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Observations of particle production rates and decay processes that cannot be explained by classical physics are indicative of tunneling phenomena. Additionally, cosmological observations related to the early universe provide indirect evidence supporting the theory.

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