New Theory for Big Bang May Explain the Secrets of Dark Matter

First Posted: Jan 15, 2016 04:54 PM EST
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Scientists have uncovered a new theory when it comes to the expansion of the universe after the Big Bang. Researchers have suggested a shorter secondary inflationary period that could account for the amount of dark matter estimated to exist throughout the cosmos.

"In general, a fundamental theory of nature can explain certain phenomena, but not always end up giving you the right amount of dark matter," said Hooman Davoudiasl, one of the researchers, in a news release. "If you come up with too little dark matter, you can suggest another source, but having too much is a problem."

Measuring the amount of dark matter in the universe isn't easy. Dark matter doesn't interact in any significant way with ordinary matter. However, gravitational effects of dark matter give sicentists a good idea of how much of it is out there. The best estimates indicate that it makes up about a quarter of the mass-energy budget of the universe, while ordinary matter, which makes up the stars and planets, comprises just 5 percent.

In standard cosmology, the exponential expansion of the universe began quickly and early. But the explosive expansion lasted mere fractions of a fraction of a second and eventually led to a hot universe, followed by a cooling period that has continued until the present day.

In the beginning when temperatures were hot, dark matter particles could run into each other and annihilate upon contact. But as the universe expanded and cooled, these particles encountered each other far less and the annihilation rate couldn't keep up with the expansion. This means that there would be quite a bit of dark matter.

However, the researchers suggest that another inflationary period took place, powered by interactions in a "hidden sector" of physics. This second, milder, period of inflation, characterized by a rapid increase in volume, would dilute primordial particle abundances and potentially leave the universe with the density of dark matter we observe today.

The findings are published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

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