astronomy, ofotu the string landscape & multiverse, the anthropic principle, and anselm’s...

Astronomy, OFotU

The String Landscape & Multiverse, The Anthropic Principle, and Anselm’s Ontological Argument

Dr. Gerald B. Cleaver Wheaton College 26 Mar 2008

5001010

Intro to String TheoryLandscape of String Theory

Anthropic PrincipleAnselm’s Ontological Argument

Outline

5001010500101050010105001010500101050010105001010 .cbabcaa AgA 5001010

500 Physicists seeking Einstein’s final goal

the Theory of Everything (Physical)

Scientific Understanding of Universe

Sought in String (M) Theory

Science Fiction has become ScienceScience Fiction has become Science Extra Dimensions (7 to be exact)Extra Dimensions (7 to be exact) Parallel Universes (at least 1 + maybe a few more) Parallel Universes (at least 1 + maybe a few more)

Multiple Universes (perhaps ~ 10Multiple Universes (perhaps ~ 10100 to 500100 to 500)) Warped SpacetimeWarped Spacetime Time before TimeTime before Time Future for the UniverseFuture for the Universe

5001010500101050010105001010500101050010105001010 .cbabcaa AgA 5001010

5001010500101050010105001010500101050010105001010 .cbabcaa AgA 5001010

String Theory impliesString Theory implies

nature of reality & existence isnature of reality & existence ismore complex …more complex …more beautiful …more beautiful …yet more simple …yet more simple …then ever imagined before!then ever imagined before!

Visible UniverseVisible Universe.cbabcaa AgA

trillion galaxies,trillion galaxies,

trillion stars per trillion stars per galaxygalaxy

13.7 billion13.7 billionlight yearslight yearsIn diameterIn diameter

= 8 x10= 8 x102222 mi mi

All Matter & Forces in the UniverseAll Matter & Forces in the UniverseUnified by String TheoryUnified by String Theory

Particles & ForcesParticles & ForcesLike Notes on a Violin StringLike Notes on a Violin String

B

♪♫

E

D

A

F

C

♪♫G

♪♫

♪♫ ♪♫

♪♫

String Interactions consistent w/ String Interactions consistent w/ Relativity Relativity

Astronomy, OFotU

Quantum MechanicsQuantum MechanicsRequires String Theory w/Requires String Theory w/

9 + 1 Dimensional Spacetime9 + 1 Dimensional SpacetimeAstronomy, OFotU

Strings have two vibrations – CW & CCWStrings have two vibrations – CW & CCW

Spin = # of Vibrations in our 3+1 Dim. SpacetimeSpin = # of Vibrations in our 3+1 Dim. Spacetime

Gravitons = Spin 2 Particles Gravitons = Spin 2 Particles = Strings w/ both vibes in 3+1 Dim S-T= Strings w/ both vibes in 3+1 Dim S-T

Photons, Gluons, WPhotons, Gluons, W+,-+,-, Z (non-grav. force part.), Z (non-grav. force part.) = Spin 1 Particles= Spin 1 Particles = Strings w/ 1 vibe in 3+1 Dim S-T= Strings w/ 1 vibe in 3+1 Dim S-T & 1 vibe in 6 Dim Comp Space& 1 vibe in 6 Dim Comp SpaceSUSY-SUSY-Matter = Spin 0 ParticlesMatter = Spin 0 Particles = Strings w/ both vibes in 6 Dim Comp= Strings w/ both vibes in 6 Dim Comp SpaceSpace

SphericalSpherical ToroidalToroidal

Products of 6 Circular DirectionsProducts of 6 Circular Directions

oror

Forming Forming

9 Dim 3 Large Dim + 6 Compact Dim

Too Simple!Too Simple!

too simple to result intoo simple to result inEither the matter particles that exist …Either the matter particles that exist …

Sean Carroll, From the Universe to the Laboratory, Sean Carroll, From the Universe to the Laboratory, http://pancake.uchicago.edu/~carrollhttp://pancake.uchicago.edu/~carroll

Or the force carrying particles …Or the force carrying particles …

So more complex shapes investigated …So more complex shapes investigated …

S. C

arro

ll, h

ttp:

//pa

ncak

e.uc

hica

go.e

du/~

carr

oll

S. C

arro

ll, h

ttp:

//pa

ncak

e.uc

hica

go.e

du/~

carr

oll

2 Dim Surface C-Y Surface—Need to extend to 6 Dim2 Dim Surface C-Y Surface—Need to extend to 6 Dim

RequireRequireCalabi-Yau Compactification Shape Calabi-Yau Compactification Shape

from 6 Compactified Dimensionsfrom 6 Compactified Dimensions

Energy ModesEnergy Modes

jpie

rre

R.

Bra

nden

berg

erR

. B

rand

enbe

rger

String DualityString Duality

R.

Bra

nden

berg

erR

. B

rand

enbe

rger

Finite Initial Size and Finite Initial Size and Temperature of UniverseTemperature of Universe

R.

Bra

nden

berg

erR

. B

rand

enbe

rger

Nagging Problem for 1Nagging Problem for 1stst Decade (1985-95): Decade (1985-95):Not Just 1 10-Dimensional String Theory Not Just 1 10-Dimensional String Theory

But 5!But 5!

www.sukidog.com/jpierre/strings/

Solution: Duality (Equality) of All 5 Solution: Duality (Equality) of All 5 String TheoriesString Theories


Each ‘Theory” is SAME THEORY Each ‘Theory” is SAME THEORY IN DIFFERENTIN DIFFERENT

MATHEMATICAL LANGUAGEMATHEMATICAL LANGUAGE

ΩOO Й אڜ


MembraneMembraneStringString

w/ 10 Dimw/ 10 Dim w/ 11 Dimw/ 11 Dim


Two 9-brane “Universes”= “Us & Them”Two 9-brane “Universes”= “Us & Them”and extra dimension betweenand extra dimension between

R.

Bra

nden

berg

erR

. B

rand

enbe

rger

Compactify 6 of the 9 Spatial Compactify 6 of the 9 Spatial Directions of each Brane as BeforeDirections of each Brane as Before

Effective 5-Dimensional TheoryEffective 5-Dimensional Theory

Hor

ava

et a

l.H

orav

a et

al.

10-33 cm < cm < y < 0.1 mmy < 0.1 mm

Size of 5th Dimension?Size of 5th Dimension?

Hor

ava

et a

l.H

orav

a et

al.

5001010

S. Carroll, http://pancake.uchicago.edu/~carrollS. Carroll, http://pancake.uchicago.edu/~carroll

Tests for sub-mm.directionsTests for sub-mm.directions

FFgrav grav = -Gm= -Gm11mm22/r/r22 -Gm -Gm11mm22/r/r

2+n 2+n

1/r1/r22 form of gravity being tested. form of gravity being tested.

Standard gravity verified down to 0.15 mm Standard gravity verified down to 0.15 mm

at Univ. of Wash. with 97% confidence levelat Univ. of Wash. with 97% confidence level

Manufacturing of Manufacturing of Stringy Blackholes!Stringy Blackholes!

If sub-mm. dimension then it may be possible to If sub-mm. dimension then it may be possible to produce gravitons and mini-black holes (with produce gravitons and mini-black holes (with peco-second half-lives) at Fermilab & CERN this peco-second half-lives) at Fermilab & CERN this decade! decade!

Mini-black holes have distinct decaysMini-black holes have distinct decays — —easily identifiable!easily identifiable!

Black Holes Detectors forBlack Holes Detectors for Fermilab and CERNFermilab and CERN

Proposed Explanation for Big BangProposed Explanation for Big BangImplying Time Before Time!Implying Time Before Time!

Astronomy, OFotU

Ast

ron

om

y, O

Fo

tU

Single Event

Cyclical Events

The colliding Branes would not remain perfectly The colliding Branes would not remain perfectly flat as they approach each other due to quantum flat as they approach each other due to quantum effects. effects.

Big Bang Inflations occurs in bumps on Branes Big Bang Inflations occurs in bumps on Branes that collide first.that collide first.

Multiple, separated, Big Bang regions might have Multiple, separated, Big Bang regions might have been formed from distinct collision points of been formed from distinct collision points of Branes! Branes!

Multiple universes on our Brane besides 1+ Multiple universes on our Brane besides 1+ Parallel Branes along an extra spatial directionParallel Branes along an extra spatial direction

5001010

S. Carroll, http://pancake.uchicago.edu/~carrollS. Carroll, http://pancake.uchicago.edu/~carroll

5001010

S. C

arro

ll, h

ttp:

//pa

ncak

e.uc

hica

go.e

du/~

carr

oll

S. C

arro

ll, h

ttp:

//pa

ncak

e.uc

hica

go.e

du/~

carr

oll

You are hereYou are here

↓↓

Present view of universe from Milky Present view of universe from Milky WayWay

Future view of universe from Milky Way, in ~ 1 Trillion YearsFuture view of universe from Milky Way, in ~ 1 Trillion Years

Milky Way torn up in a few more 100 Billion YearsMilky Way torn up in a few more 100 Billion Years

Solar system torn apart in a few more 10 Billion YearsSolar system torn apart in a few more 10 Billion Years

New Scientist, 5 Feb 2005

5001010

S. C

arro

ll, h

ttp:

//pa

ncak

e.uc

hica

go.e

du/~

carr

oll

S. C

arro

ll, h

ttp:

//pa

ncak

e.uc

hica

go.e

du/~

carr

oll

String LandscapeString Landscape

~ 10100 to 500 Models in M-Theory

C.C.C.C.11

10-120

String LandscapeString Landscape

Anthropic Principle of String Theory

C.C.C.C.11

10-120 10-119

5001010

Examination of the State of the Universe from Examination of the State of the Universe from Anthropic Principle and Fine TuningAnthropic Principle and Fine Tuning

Weak Anthropic Principle (WAP): "The observed values of all physical and cosmological quantities are not equally probable but they take on values restricted by the requirement that there exist sites where carbon-based life can evolve and by the requirements that the Universe be old enough for it to have already done so." (Barrow and Tipler 1986: 16).

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines WAP as conditions that are observed in the universe must allow the observer to exist.

Strong Anthropic Principle (SAP): "The Universe must have those properties which allow life to develop within it at some stage in its history." (Barrow and Tipler 1986).

5001010

Barrow and Tipler then proposed three (overlapping) elaborations of the SAP:

(i) "There exists one possible Universe 'designed' with the goal of generating and sustaining 'observers.' "

This implies that the purpose of the universe is to give rise to intelligent life, with the laws of nature and their fundamental constants set to ensure that life as we know it will emerge and evolve. Fine tuning of constants in nature result as necessities for life.

(ii) "Observers are necessary to bring the Universe into being."

Barrow and Tipler believe that this can be validly inferred from quantum mechanics.

(iii) "An ensemble of other different universes is necessary for the existence of our Universe."

This interpretation sympathizes with the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. We will see a possible reemergence of this in string theory

5001010

Fine-Tuning: The premise of the fine-tuned universe assertion is that any small change in the twenty or so physical constants would make the universe radically different and therefore, unsuitable for life:

If, for example, the electron's charge were slightly different, or if the strong nuclear force were only 2% stronger, di-protons would be stable and hydrogen would fuse too easily, making stars as we know them impossible and prevent the universe from developing life as we know it.

Or, if the cosmological constant had been greater than it is by a factor of 10, the universe would have expanded to fast for galaxies to ever form.

Eternal Inflationary UniverseEternal Inflationary Universe

String Cosmology implies physical creation is String Cosmology implies physical creation is likely eternal forward. God’s creative act likely eternal forward. God’s creative act never ceases. Each universe produces an never ceases. Each universe produces an infinitude of universes. infinitude of universes.

Each later universe has lower cosmological Each later universe has lower cosmological constant than did the universe from which it constant than did the universe from which it came.came.

A. Linde, Banff, 2004

Understanding of String Landscape and our Universe in relation to itUnderstanding of String Landscape and our Universe in relation to itControversial topic at the moment—numerous papersControversial topic at the moment—numerous papers

Domain walls, near-BPS bubbles, and probabilities in the landscape,Domain walls, near-BPS bubbles, and probabilities in the landscape, A. Ceresole et al., hep-th/0605266.A. Ceresole et al., hep-th/0605266.

On the Geometry of the String Landscape and the Swampland,On the Geometry of the String Landscape and the Swampland, H. Ooguri and C. Vafa, hep-th/0605264H. Ooguri and C. Vafa, hep-th/0605264.

Cosmological Landscape From Nothing: Some Like It Hot,Cosmological Landscape From Nothing: Some Like It Hot, A. Barvinsky and A. Kamenshchik, hep-th/0605132A. Barvinsky and A. Kamenshchik, hep-th/0605132.

The Supersymmetric Vistas of the Supergravity LandscapeThe Supersymmetric Vistas of the Supergravity Landscape, T. Ortin, Annalen Phys. 15 (2006) 252.T. Ortin, Annalen Phys. 15 (2006) 252.

Inflation, dark matter and dark energy in the string Landscape,Inflation, dark matter and dark energy in the string Landscape, A. Riddle and L Urena-Lopez, astro-ph/0605205A. Riddle and L Urena-Lopez, astro-ph/0605205.

Eternal observers and bubbler abundances in the Landscape, Eternal observers and bubbler abundances in the Landscape, The Landscape 'avant la lettre'.The Landscape 'avant la lettre'. V. Vanchurin and A. Vilenkin, hep-th/0605015V. Vanchurin and A. Vilenkin, hep-th/0605015.

The Landscape 'avant la lettre‘,The Landscape 'avant la lettre‘, A. Schellekensilen, physics/0604134A. Schellekensilen, physics/0604134

Role of Anthropic Principle? Hotly debated in String/M-Theory: e.g.,Role of Anthropic Principle? Hotly debated in String/M-Theory: e.g.,

On making predictions in a multiverse: Conundrums, dangers, and coincidences,On making predictions in a multiverse: Conundrums, dangers, and coincidences, A. Aguirre, astro-ph/0506519.A. Aguirre, astro-ph/0506519.

The Anthropic principle and the duration of the cosmological past,The Anthropic principle and the duration of the cosmological past, M. Cirkovic, astro-ph/0505005.M. Cirkovic, astro-ph/0505005.

Supersymmetry breaking in the anthropic landscape,Supersymmetry breaking in the anthropic landscape, L. Susskind, hep-th/0405189.L. Susskind, hep-th/0405189.

Is there a string theory landscape: Some cautionary notes,Is there a string theory landscape: Some cautionary notes, M. Dine, hep-th/0405189.M. Dine, hep-th/0405189.

Multiple universes, cosmic coincidences, and other dark matters,Multiple universes, cosmic coincidences, and other dark matters, A. Aguirre and M. Tegmark, hep-ph/0409072A. Aguirre and M. Tegmark, hep-ph/0409072

Is there a string theory landscape?Is there a string theory landscape? T. Banks et al., hep-th/0309170.T. Banks et al., hep-th/0309170.

Can the universe experience many cycles with different vacua?Can the universe experience many cycles with different vacua? Y. Piao, hep-ph/0407258.Y. Piao, hep-ph/0407258.

String/M-Theory as presently understood has a large parameter space of String/M-Theory as presently understood has a large parameter space of variables (angles between each compactified direction, lengths of each, plus things variables (angles between each compactified direction, lengths of each, plus things called fluxes and torques) each leading to universes (observable, hidden, or both) called fluxes and torques) each leading to universes (observable, hidden, or both) with differing properties. On the order of > 10with differing properties. On the order of > 10100100 different universes all seem different universes all seem equally possible. Why our particular String/M-Theory universe?equally possible. Why our particular String/M-Theory universe?

Some scientists (e.g. Stephen Hawking) are suspicious that determination of a Some scientists (e.g. Stephen Hawking) are suspicious that determination of a particular choice of ALL of the M-Theory parameters might not be totally particular choice of ALL of the M-Theory parameters might not be totally determinable, based on Gödel’s Theorem, which says that one cannot formulate a determinable, based on Gödel’s Theorem, which says that one cannot formulate a finite system of axioms to prove every result in mathematics. This means that finite system of axioms to prove every result in mathematics. This means that inconsistencies or indeterminacies can arise if one tries to prove statements that inconsistencies or indeterminacies can arise if one tries to prove statements that refer to themselves.refer to themselves.

A physical theory is a mathematical model. So if there are mathematical results A physical theory is a mathematical model. So if there are mathematical results that cannot be proved, there are physical problems that cannot be solved. We do that cannot be proved, there are physical problems that cannot be solved. We do not live outside of the universe, but instead we and our theories are both part of not live outside of the universe, but instead we and our theories are both part of the universe we are describing. Hence our theories are also self-referring. And the universe we are describing. Hence our theories are also self-referring. And thus we might suspect that any Theory of Everything determined by a finite thus we might suspect that any Theory of Everything determined by a finite number of known parameters or variables might ultimately be incomplete or number of known parameters or variables might ultimately be incomplete or undetermined!undetermined!

Multiverse

necessitates Augustine’s Block Universe view:God beyond all creation-beyond of all spacetimes.Histories of all spacetimes appear as a moment

MultiverseMultiverse

Anselm’s Ontological Argument: God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. (Proslogion, Chap. 2, c. ~ 1100 A.D.)

Philosophical and theological issues raised by String/M-Theory and the

Multiverse Picture:

Immensely expanded concept of (10+1)-dimensional reality and multiple universes has profound implications for meaning of transcendence of God

Poses problems to process theology concept of God evolving with and within a universe.

The (10+1)-dimensional bulk universe might be compared to St. Augustine’s concept of block universe.

5001010500101050010105001010500101050010105001010 .cbabcaa AgA 5001010

5001010

String/M-TheoryString/M-Theory

Provides deeper understanding of spacetime and reality

Presents our universe with a simplicity, order, and beauty never before imagines. Simultaneously provides for complexity of the (multi/uni)-verse

Suggests more to our universe than ever before imagined.

Has implications for theological views of God regarding Has implications for theological views of God regarding meaning of transcendence—expanded view of meaning of transcendence—expanded view of Augustine’s block universe.Augustine’s block universe.

5001010

http://www.superstringtheory.com/ John Schwarz’ "The Official String Theory Web Site"

http://www.sukidog.com/jpierre/strings/ String Tutorial with glossary, refs & links

http://www.superstring-theory.com/EnglishVersion.html another excellent intro

http://www.superstringtheory.com/cosmo/index.htmlhttp://www.ba.infn.it/~gasperin/http://feynman.princeton.edu/~steinh/ Great string cosmology sites

http://www.nuclecu.unam.mx/%7Ealberto/physics/string.html http://dmoz.org/Science/Physics/Quantum_Mechanics/ http://pages.wooster.edu/bboroson/clinks.html worthwhile collections of links to other major string sites

** http://pancake.uchicago.edu/~carroll **Several slides in the presentation borrowed from this site!

Interesting String (Cosmology) Web Sites (also image sources):

astronomy, ofotu the string landscape & multiverse, the anthropic principle, and anselm’s...

Documents