Maths model explains why our Universe is a hologram

Researchers have taken a significant step to understanding the physics behind the structure of the Universe according to the holographic principle, by linking the two space-time theories.

The Physical Review D paper which includes research conducted at University of Southampton, University of Cambridge and the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics makes connections between negatively curved space-time and flat space-time.

Professor Kostas Skenderis, Chair of Mathematical Physics at Southampton said: “One of the main recent advances in theoretical physics is the holographic principle. According to this idea, our Universe may be thought of as a hologram and we would like to understand how to formulate the laws of physics for such a holographic Universe.”

Space-time is usually taken to mean space existing in three dimensions, with time playing the role of the fourth. All four come together to form a continuum in a state where the four elements can’t be distinguished from each other. Flat space-time and negative space-time describe an environment where the Universe is non-compact and space extends infinitely in any direction. Flat space-time is the best way of explaining gravitational forces such as the ones produced by a star.

However, negative space-time describes a Universe filled with negative vacuum energy and best explains the mathematics of holography.

The researchers have developed a mathematical model which finds striking similarities between the two theories. The scientists say that according to holography, at a fundamental level, the Universe has one less dimension than we perceive in real life and it is governed by laws similar to electromagnetism.

“The idea is similar to that of ordinary holograms where a three-dimensional image is encoded in a two-dimension surface, such as in the hologram on a credit card, but now it is the entire Universe that is encoded in such a fashion,” explained Skenderis.

The research explains what is known as the Gregory Laflamme instability, where certain types of black holes break up into smaller ones when disturbed.

“Our research is on-going, and we hope to find more connections between flat space-time, negatively curved space-time and holography. Traditional theories about how the Universe operates go some individually to describing its very nature, but each fall sort in different areas. It is our ultimate goal to find a new combined understanding of the Universe, which works across the board,” added Skenderis