"The multiverse is no longer a model, it is a consequence of our models.”

~Aurelien Barrau, particle physicist at CERN

The Hollywood blockbuster, The Golden Compass, adapted from the first volume of Pullman's classic sci-fi trilogy, "His Dark Materials" portrays various universes as only one reality among many, but how realistic is this kind of classic sci-fi plot? While it hasn’t been proven yet, many highly respected and credible scientists are now saying there’s reason to believe that parallel dimensions could very well be more than figments of our imaginations. 

"The idea of multiple universes is more than a fantastic invention—it appears naturally within several scientific theories, and deserves to be taken seriously," stated Aurelien Barrau, a French particle physicist at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

There are a variety of competing theories based on the idea of parallel universes, but the most basic idea is that if the universe is infinite, then everything that could possibly occur has happened, is happening, or will happen.

According to quantum mechanics, nothing at the subatomic scale can really be said to exist until it is observed. Until then, particles occupy uncertain "superposition" states, in which they can have simultaneous "up" and "down" spins, or appear to be in different places at the same time. The mere act of observing somehow appears to "nail down" a particular state of reality. Scientists don’t yet have a perfect explanation for how it occurs, but that hasn’t changed the fact that the phenomenon does occur.

Unobserved particles are described by "wave functions" representing a set of multiple "probable" states. When an observer makes a measurement, the particle then settles down into one of these multiple options, which is somewhat how the multiple universe theory can be explained.

The existence of such a parallel universe "does not even assume speculative modern physics, merely that space is infinite and rather uniformly filled with matter as indicated by recent astronomical observations," Max Tegmark, a cosmologist at MIT in Boston, Massachusetts concluded in a study of parallel universes published by Cambridge University.

Mathematician Hugh Everett published landmark paper in 1957 while still a graduate student at Princeton University. In this paper he showed how quantum theory predicts that a single classical reality will gradually split into separate, but simultaneously existing realms.

"This is simply a way of trusting strictly the fundamental equations of quantum mechanics," says Barrau. "The worlds are not spatially separated, but exist as kinds of 'parallel' universes."

Partly because the idea is so uncomfortably strange, it’s dismissed as sci-fi by many critics. But there are also many credible, respected proponents of the theory—a group that is continuously gaining new adherents as new research unveils new evidence. Some Oxford research—for the first time—recently found a mathematical answer that sweeps away one of the key objections to the controversial idea. Their research shows that Everett was indeed on the right track when he came up with his multiverse theory. The Oxford team, led by Dr David Deutsch, showed mathematically that the bush-like branching structure created by the universe splitting into parallel versions of itself can explain the probabilistic nature of quantum outcomes.

The work has another strange implication. The idea of parallel universes would apparently side-step one of the key complaints with time travel. Every since it was given serious credibility in 1949 by the great logician Kurt Godel, many eminent physicists have argued against time travel because it undermines ideas of cause and effect. An example would be the famous “grandfather paradox” where a time traveler goes back to kill his grandfather so that he is never born in the first place.

But if parallel worlds do exist, there is a way around these troublesome paradoxes. Deutsch argues that time travel shifts happen between different branches of reality. The mathematical breakthrough bolsters his claim that quantum theory does not forbid time travel. "It does sidestep it. You go into another universe," he said. But he admits that there will be a lot of work to do before we can manipulate space-time in a way that makes “hops” possible. While it may sound fanciful, Deutsch says that scientific research is continually making the theory more believable.

"Many sci-fi authors suggested time travel paradoxes would be solved by parallel universes but in my work, that conclusion is deduced from quantum theory itself."

The borderline between physics and metaphysics is not defined by whether an entity can be observed, but whether it is testable, insists Tegmark.

He points to phenomena such as black holes, curved space, the slowing of time at high speeds, even a round Earth, which were all once rejected as scientific heresy before being proven through experimentation, even though some remain beyond the grasp of observation. It is likely, Tegmark concludes that multiverse models grounded in modern physics will eventually be empirically testable, predictive and disprovable.

SOURCE

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (19)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by sun agee, December 17, 2010

I am apreciating it very much.I have never read such a lovely article and I am coming back tomorrow to continue reading.handbags christian dior

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Wonderful article！
written by Replica Thomas Wylde handbags, March 26, 2011

Recently,I found some good websites on buying things, I thought it very good and want to share. It'sinitiales belt

• 
• +0
• 
• 

free shipping Hair Extension
written by free shipping Hair Extension, July 05, 2011

free shipping Home Audio & Video Equipments Valdes and Barrios are worth the wait. Barrios, especially in the Bundesliga last season, imposing directions, is the hero of Dortmund won the championship, his status will help to enhance the

• 
• +0
• 
• 

free shipping Bath Supplies
written by free shipping Bath Supplies, July 05, 2011

free shipping Gaming Player Accessories Paraguay attack.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

free shipping Health & Beauty
written by free shipping Health & Beauty, July 05, 2011

Hamsik free shipping Portable Media Napoli boss DeLaurentis with like two parallel lines, each side, uncompromising, never cross.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by wholesale new era hats, July 12, 2011

If you want to have such a purse,Wholesale New Era Hats

you need to begin Wholesale New Era Hats looking for it in your nearby markets and superstores which are famous for promoting and selling such items.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.smallb2c.com
written by air max shoes, August 08, 2011

For each sandal, fold over 2 inches at one end of a strip wholesale Rockstar Energy hats , then coil the strip tightly around the folded section. Tape the next strip to the end of the first and continue winding and taping until the oval is half the length of your child's foot New York Yankees Hats .

• 
• +0
• 
• 

MBT Shoes
written by MBT Shoes, November 17, 2011

Cheap Beats By Dr Dre or uggs clearance or Moncler Sale or Beats By Dr Dre Outlet or Dr Dre Headphones or Cheap Dre Beats or Beats By Dre or uggs sale clearance
MBT Shoes
MBT Shoes clearances

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.uk-barbourjacket.net/
written by barbour pegasus waxed jacket, November 22, 2011

http://www.uk-barbourjacket.net/ .These juicy bag do attending actual timeless.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Breitling Watches
written by Replica Breitling Watches, November 23, 2011

Your Blog is very good, I like it! Thank you for you sharing! Replica Breitling Watches

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Beautiful article~~
written by replica breitling bentley watches, November 25, 2011

I like this website, and I can benefit a lot from it!
replica breitling bentley watches

• 
• +0
• 
• 

rolex swiss
written by rolex swiss, November 30, 2011

Pretty good article.I just came across your site and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. rolex swiss valjoux 7750

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by cheap clothes, December 02, 2011

Really make the person touched, admire. Good article

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Panerai Radiomir replica
written by Panerai Radiomir replica, December 03, 2011

Thanks for providing such informative post, I have subscribed your blog, keep up good work. I don't need sex, life fucks me everyday.❤
Panerai Radiomir replica

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Buy replica Hublot watches
written by Buy replica Hublot watches, December 08, 2011

Thanks for providing such informative post, I have subscribed your blog, keep up good work. I don't need sex, life fucks me everyday.❤ Buy replica Hublot watches

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.canada-goose-jakker-norge.com
written by canada goose jakker, December 28, 2011

Missouri offers a perfect habitat for geese and waterfowl. Thousands of acres of crop stubble, river basins, D&G Pas Cher
watersheds, and wetlands are available for the fowl to winter in. Missouri is also a haven billig canada goose jakke
for snow goose and waterfowl hunters. The western half of Missouri where the lower Missouri canada goose expedition parka
River sub-basins exist offer hunters excellent duck and geese shooting opportunities. Swan Lake Refuge,Hermes Sac Prix
Fountain Grove Conservation Area and the Grand Pass Conservation Area around 120 miles to the north of Kansas Chaussures Basket Nike

• 
• +0
• 
• 

nike shox
written by nike shox, January 17, 2012

Da Nike lanserte Nike nike shox
Shox demping system i Sydney nike shox dame
i september 2000, representerte den nike shox sko
mest forsket og testet nike shox nz
produktdesign i selskapets nike shox norge
innovasjon-rik historie, som strekker seg over 16.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Patriots Super Bowl Jersey, January 31, 2012

goodLeigh Bodden Jersey

• 
• +0
• 
• 

nice
written by breitling blackbird replica, February 03, 2012

We offer you great opportunities to buy breitling blackbird replica

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment