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European researchers have simulated “false vacuum decay,” a theoretical phenomenon that, if it occurred, would instantly annihilate everything, including the laws of physics.
Physicists in Europe have achieved a remarkable feat: simulating in the laboratory one of the most catastrophic scenarios for the cosmos, the “decay of the false vacuum.” This theoretical phenomenon, if it were to occur on a universal scale, could mean the instantaneous destruction of everything in existence.
The research, led by Uppsala University in Sweden, reproduced the mechanism that, according to theories, would lead to a sudden end of the Universe. This is a hypothetical process where a more stable energy bubble emerges and expands at the speed of light, erasing the phenomenon from existence as we know it.
Decay of the false vacuum: understand the dangerous phenomenon
“False vacuum decay” occurs when a region of spacetime transitions to a lower, more fundamental energy state, the “true vacuum.” This transition would create a bubble that would expand, altering the fundamental constants of nature and disintegrating all matter in its path.
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Planets, stars and galaxies would be swept away, as we see in several Science Fiction Movies. This event, if initiated, would be unstoppable and undetectable until the moment of impact, as it would propagate at the speed of light.
How Physicists Simulated the End of the Cosmos on a Microscopic Scale
Scientists used a gas of ultracold atoms, trapped by lasers in an optical lattice. With this, they created a simulation of the quantum behavior of an unstable vacuum, known as a “false vacuum”.
They observed the emergence and propagation of a more stable “new phase” within this structure. This behavior is analogous to what is expected in the transition from a false vacuum to a true vacuum in the fabric of space-time.
Scientific breakthrough: what the simulation of this phenomenon reveals
This simulation is considered a milestone. For the first time, it was possible to empirically observe a quantum phase transition under controlled conditions, something that previously existed only in theoretical calculations. By identifying patterns in the emergence of the new “vacuum phase” in the experiment, researchers can better understand the real behavior of the Universe.
The study of the phenomenon of false vacuum decay is linked to the stability of the Universe itself. Research suggests that the mass of the Higgs boson could place the cosmos in a zone of instability, making this transition theoretically possible.
Cosmic risk: are we in imminent danger?
Theoretical physicist Anders Tranberg, who reviewed the study's data, warned that if the phenomenon were to occur, "we would have no warning. The destruction would be immediate and absolute."
The good news is that while the experiment validates important theoretical foundations, it poses no real threat, being merely a physical analogy. The chances of a false vacuum decay occurring in our lifetime are considered extremely remote. “There is no reason to panic,” said one of the authors, highlighting that understanding these limits helps to better understand the Universe.
