In this article, we continue our discussion on parallel worlds, building upon last week’s article. We explore the scientific origins of the parallel worlds’ hypothesis, which began gaining traction in the mid-20th century as major advancements in physics transformed our understanding of time, space and subatomic particles. Three major scientific theories or breakthroughs in modern physics propose the possibility of parallel worlds.
Quantum mechanics and its relation to parallel worlds: Physicist Hugh Everett III proposed an interpretation of quantum mechanics in 1957 suggesting that every quantum probability manifests in a separate "world" or "branch" of the universe. This interpretation challenges one of the most perplexing issues in quantum physics: the "collapse of the wave function". According to Everett’s perspective, the wave function does not collapse; rather, the universe branches out at every quantum event to accommodate all possible outcomes. This implies the existence of an infinite number of constantly diverging universes, each containing a version of us making different choices. Although this interpretation remains controversial, it was the first serious scientific formulation of the parallel worlds concept and was later examined more rigorously by prominent physicists such as John Wheeler and Bryce DeWitt.
The theory of inflationary multiverses: In the early 1980s, physicist Alan Guth introduced the “Inflation Theory”, revolutionising modern cosmology. This theory posits that the universe underwent an enormous expansion in its earliest moments. Subsequent developments in this theory suggested that inflation is not a temporary event but an ongoing process, where each "inflation bubble" gives rise to a distinct universe with its own physical laws and variables. According to this hypothesis, the “Multiverse” is akin to a cosmic foam where new universes are continuously generated. Some may resemble our own, while others may be vastly different. While this concept remains scientifically debatable, it is supported by mathematical models such as the “Eternal Inflation” framework.
String theory and extra dimensions: String theory aims to unify the four fundamental forces of nature: gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces, into a single mathematical framework. Many scientists view it as a promising candidate for a "Theory of Everything". According to string theory, fundamental particles are not point-like but are rather tiny vibrating strings whose frequencies determine their properties. This theory necessitates the existence of extra dimensions beyond the four familiar ones (three spatial dimensions and one temporal). In some models, the number of dimensions extends to ten or eleven. Certain versions of string theory suggest the possibility of parallel universes existing in these additional dimensions, which remain undetectable due to the limitations of our current observational tools. Although string theory remains largely theoretical and lacks experimental confirmation, it raises profound questions about a reality that might be far richer than our conventional understanding.
Observational Evidence and Experimental Tests: Despite the captivating allure of the parallel worlds’ hypothesis, a fundamental question arises: To what extent can science empirically validate the existence of parallel worlds with certainty? To address this, we must acknowledge that many proposed multiverse models, assuming they exist, are difficult to test directly due to our physical separation from them. However, some indirect indications suggest that our known universe might not be alone. These include: Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation measurements: Scientists using the Planck Satellite and WMAP have observed subtle variations in CMB radiation. Some theoretical models interpret these anomalies as potential signatures of collisions or interactions between our universe and other bubbles in the multiverse.
Search for particle or energy leakage: If extra dimensions exist, we might detect hints of them in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). One possible indicator would be an unexplained disappearance of energy or particles, suggesting their leakage into parallel worlds. However, as of now, no such evidence has been observed.
Mathematical studies of physical constants: Some calculations suggest that even minor variations in fundamental constants, such as the electron’s mass or the proton’s charge, would make galaxy formation and life impossible. This lends support to the "Fine-Tuning" hypothesis, which can be explained by the multiverse concept, where each universe has different physical constants, and we happen to exist in one suitable for life.
Although these indications are intriguing, they remain speculative and do not constitute definitive scientific proof of parallel worlds.
The writer is Omani academic and researcher
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