Is the Universe

Eternal?
Vic Stenger
time
now
-!
innite
time
Theologian:
time
now
-!
innite
time
Theologian:
Therefore eternal
universe is impossible
time
now
-!
innite
time
time
now
-10
100
nite
time
years
Theologian:
Mathematician:
Therefore eternal
universe is impossible
time
now
-!
innite
time
time
now
-10
100
nite
time
years
Theologian:
Mathematician:
Therefore eternal
universe is impossible
Eternal universe
is possible
The Kalam Cosmological Argument
_
William Lane Craig
The Kalam Cosmological Argument
1. Everything that begins has a cause
_
William Lane Craig
The Kalam Cosmological Argument
1. Everything that begins has a cause
2. The universe had a beginning
_
William Lane Craig
The Kalam Cosmological Argument
1. Everything that begins has a cause
2. The universe had a beginning
3. Therefore the universe had a cause
_
William Lane Craig
The Kalam Cosmological Argument
1. Everything that begins has a cause
2. The universe had a beginning
3. Therefore the universe had a cause
_
William Lane Craig
That cause must be a personal God
The Kalam Cosmological Argument
1. Everything that begins has a cause
2. The universe had a beginning
3. Therefore the universe had a cause
_
William Lane Craig
That cause must be a personal God
Not in quantum mechanics
time
space
Did the universe begin with a singularity?
Hawking and
Penrose 1970
General Relativity
time
space
Did the universe begin with a singularity?
Hawking and
Penrose 1970
General Relativity
Singularity
time
space
Did the universe begin with a singularity?
Hawking and
Penrose 1970
General Relativity
Singularity
Beginning of time?
time
space
Quantum Mechanics: No Singularity
Hawking 1988
time
space
Quantum Mechanics: No Singularity
Hawking 1988
Planck time
Borde, Guth, Vilenkin Theorem (2003)
Borde, Guth, Vilenkin Theorem (2003)
Ination must have had
a beginning
Borde, Guth, Vilenkin Theorem (2003)
Ination must have had
a beginning
time
space
Borde, Guth, Vilenkin Theorem (2003)
Ination must have had
a beginning
Craig: Therefore universe
cannot be eternal
time
space
Borde, Guth, Vilenkin Theorem (2003)
Ination must have had
a beginning
Craig: Therefore universe
cannot be eternal
time
space
Aguirre and Gratton,
Carroll and Chen:
Borde, Guth, Vilenkin Theorem (2003)
Ination must have had
a beginning
Craig: Therefore universe
cannot be eternal
time
space
Aguirre and Gratton,
Carroll and Chen:
Borde, Guth, Vilenkin Theorem (2003)
Ination must have had
a beginning
Craig: Therefore universe
cannot be eternal
time
space
Aguirre and Gratton,
Carroll and Chen:
Universe can be eternal
A Natural Scenario for
the Origin of Our Uni verse
A Natural Scenario for
the Origin of Our Uni verse
Reference:
Atkatz, David. "Quantum cosmology for pedestrians,"
American Journal of Physics 62 (1994): 619-27.
Cosmological Friedmann equations from General Relati vi ty
Cosmological Friedmann equations from General Relati vi ty

d
2
a
dt
2
= !
4"G
3
# + 3p
( )
a +
$
3
a

da
dt
!
"
#
$
%
&
2
=
8'G(
3
a
2
) k +
*
3
a
2
cosmological constant
k = -1, 0, 1
Cosmological Friedmann equations from General Relati vi ty
Let k = 1,
! = p = 0
Empty universe
d
2
a
dt
2
= !
4"G
3
# + 3p
( )
a +
$
3
a

da
dt
!
"
#
$
%
&
2
=
8'G(
3
a
2
) k +
*
3
a
2
cosmological constant
k = -1, 0, 1
Cosmological Friedmann equations from General Relati vi ty
Let k = 1,
! = p = 0
Empty universe
d
2
a
dt
2
= !
4"G
3
# + 3p
( )
a +
$
3
a

da
dt
!
"
#
$
%
&
2
= 2
a
2
a
o
2
'1

da
dt
!
"
#
$
%
&
2
=
8'G(
3
a
2
) k +
*
3
a
2

a
o
=
!
3
cosmological constant
k = -1, 0, 1
Cosmological Friedmann equations from General Relati vi ty
Let k = 1,
! = p = 0
Empty universe
d
2
a
dt
2
= !
4"G
3
# + 3p
( )
a +
$
3
a

da
dt
!
"
#
$
%
&
2
= 2
a
2
a
o
2
'1

da
dt
!
"
#
$
%
&
2
=
8'G(
3
a
2
) k +
*
3
a
2

d
2
a
dt
2
=
a
a
o

a
o
=
!
3
cosmological constant
k = -1, 0, 1
Cosmological Friedmann equations from General Relati vi ty
Let k = 1,
! = p = 0
Empty universe
d
2
a
dt
2
= !
4"G
3
# + 3p
( )
a +
$
3
a

da
dt
!
"
#
$
%
&
2
= 2
a
2
a
o
2
'1

da
dt
!
"
#
$
%
&
2
=
8'G(
3
a
2
) k +
*
3
a
2

d
2
a
dt
2
=
a
a
o

a
o
=
!
3

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
Solution:
cosmological constant
k = -1, 0, 1
The Inationary Biverse
The Inationary Biverse

H =
1
a
o
=
1
a
da
dt

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
=
a
o
2
exp(Ht) + exp('Ht) (
)
*
+
The Inationary Biverse
time
space
time

H =
1
a
o
=
1
a
da
dt

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
=
a
o
2
exp(Ht) + exp('Ht) (
)
*
+
The Inationary Biverse
time
space
time

H =
1
a
o
=
1
a
da
dt

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
=
a
o
2
exp(Ht) + exp('Ht) (
)
*
+
Our
universe
The Inationary Biverse
time
space
time

H =
1
a
o
=
1
a
da
dt

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
=
a
o
2
exp(Ht) + exp('Ht) (
)
*
+
Our
universe
Mirror
universe
The Inationary Biverse
time
space
time

H =
1
a
o
=
1
a
da
dt

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
=
a
o
2
exp(Ht) + exp('Ht) (
)
*
+
Our
universe
Mirror
universe
Arrow of time opposite to ours
E
V
Quantum tunneling
E
V
Quantum tunneling
imaginary momentum
p
2
< 0
K=E-V
< 0
Quantizing the Friedmann Equations
Quantizing the Friedmann Equations
Assume a Lagrangian

L =
3!
4G
"
da
dt
#
$
%
&
'
(
2
a + a 1"
a
2
a
o
2
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
Quantizing the Friedmann Equations
Assume a Lagrangian

L =
3!
4G
"
da
dt
#
$
%
&
'
(
2
a + a 1"
a
2
a
o
2
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
Dene canonical momentum

p =
!L
!
da
dt
"
#
$
%
&
'
= (
3)
2G
a
da
dt
Quantizing the Friedmann Equations
Assume a Lagrangian

L =
3!
4G
"
da
dt
#
$
%
&
'
(
2
a + a 1"
a
2
a
o
2
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
Dene canonical momentum

p =
!L
!
da
dt
"
#
$
%
&
'
= (
3)
2G
a
da
dt
Hamiltonian

H = p
da
dt
! L
= !
3"
4G
a 1+
da
dt
#
$
%
&
'
(
2
!
a
2
a
o
2
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.

p
2
+
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
a
2
1(
a
2
a
o
2
"
#
$
%
&
'
= 0

p
2
+
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
a
2
1(
a
2
a
o
2
"
#
$
%
&
'
= 0

p = !i
"
"a

d
2
da
2
!
3"
2G
#
$
%
&
'
(
2
a
2
1!
a
2
a
o
2
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
/ = 0
Wheeler-
DeWitt
equation

p
2
+
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
a
2
1(
a
2
a
o
2
"
#
$
%
&
'
= 0

p = !i
"
"a

d
2
da
2
!
3"
2G
#
$
%
&
'
(
2
a
2
1!
a
2
a
o
2
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
/ = 0
Wheeler-
DeWitt
equation
Wave function of the universe

p
2
+
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
a
2
1(
a
2
a
o
2
"
#
$
%
&
'
= 0

p = !i
"
"a

d
2
da
2
!
3"
2G
#
$
%
&
'
(
2
a
2
1!
a
2
a
o
2
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
/ = 0
Wheeler-
DeWitt
equation
Wave function of the universe
Schrdinger equation for particle with m = 1/2, E =0

V(a) =
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
a
2
1(
a
2
a
o
2
"
#
$
%
&
'
Potential energy

! = c = 1

p
2
+
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
a
2
1(
a
2
a
o
2
"
#
$
%
&
'
= 0

p = !i
"
"a
Potential energy

/
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
Potential energy

/
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
Physical
region
Potential energy

/
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
Unphysical
region
Physical
region
Potential energy

/
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
Unphysical
region
Physical
region

a(! ) = a
o
cos
!
a
o
"
#
$
%
&
'
t = i! imaginary
Imaginary time
Imaginary time

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
'a > a
o
Imaginary time

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
'a > a
o

For a < a
o
let ! = it
Then a(! ) = a
o
cos
!
a
o
"
#
$
%
&
'
Imaginary time

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
'a > a
o

For a < a
o
let ! = it
Then a(! ) = a
o
cos
!
a
o
"
#
$
%
&
'
Euclidean space-time (unphysical)

s
2
= x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
! ct
( )
2
" = ict
= x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
+"
2
Imaginary time

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
'a > a
o

For a < a
o
let ! = it
Then a(! ) = a
o
cos
!
a
o
"
#
$
%
&
'
Euclidean space-time (unphysical)

s
2
= x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
! ct
( )
2
" = ict
= x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
+"
2
i
m
a
g
i
n
a
r
y

t
i
m
e
space

South Pole
! = 0
s
a
!
Imaginary time

a(t) = a
o
cosh
t
a
o
!
"
#
$
%
&
'a > a
o

For a < a
o
let ! = it
Then a(! ) = a
o
cos
!
a
o
"
#
$
%
&
'
Euclidean space-time (unphysical)

s
2
= x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
! ct
( )
2
" = ict
= x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
+"
2
No
boundary
i
m
a
g
i
n
a
r
y

t
i
m
e
space

South Pole
! = 0
s
a
!

!
V
(a > a
o
) = K(a)
"1/ 2
exp "i
#
2G
a
o
2
a
2
a
o
2
"1
$
%
&
'
(
)
3/ 2
*
+
,
,
-
.
/
/
Tunneling solution of Vilenkin:
Only outgoing waves

!
V
(0 < a < a
o
) = K(a)
"1/ 2
1
2
exp "
#
2G
a
o
2
1"
a
2
a
o
2
$
%
&
'
(
)
3/ 2
*
+
,
,
-
.
/
/
+i exp
#
2G
a
o
2
1"
a
2
a
o
2
$
%
&
'
(
)
3/ 2
*
+
,
,
-
.
/
/
0
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
4
5
2
2
2
6
2
2
2

!
V
(a > a
o
) = K(a)
"1/ 2
exp "i
#
2G
a
o
2
a
2
a
o
2
"1
$
%
&
'
(
)
3/ 2
*
+
,
,
-
.
/
/

K(a) =
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
a
a
2
a
o
2
(1
"
#
$
%
&
'
1/ 2
Tunneling solution of Vilenkin:
Only outgoing waves

!
V
(0 < a < a
o
) = K(a)
"1/ 2
1
2
exp "
#
2G
a
o
2
1"
a
2
a
o
2
$
%
&
'
(
)
3/ 2
*
+
,
,
-
.
/
/
+i exp
#
2G
a
o
2
1"
a
2
a
o
2
$
%
&
'
(
)
3/ 2
*
+
,
,
-
.
/
/
0
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
4
5
2
2
2
6
2
2
2
our time
space
unphysical
region

!
HH
(a > a
o
) = K(a)
"1/ 2
cos
#
2
a
o
2
a
2
a
o
2
"1
$
%
&
'
(
)
3/ 2
*
+
,
,
-
.
/
/

K(a) =
3!
2G
"
#
$
%
&
'
2
a
a
2
a
o
2
(1
"
#
$
%
&
'
1/ 2
No boundary solution of Hartle and
Hartle-Hawking:
Equal amounts of incoming and outgoing
waves

!
HH
(0 < a < a
o
) = K(a)
"1/ 2
exp
#
2
a
o
2
a
2
a
o
2
"1
$
%
&
'
(
)
3/ 2
*
+
,
,
-
.
/
/
Hartle-Hawking wave function of the universe
Hartle-Hawking wave function of the universe
physical region
Hartle-Hawking wave function of the universe
unphysical region
(nothing)
physical region
our time
prior time
space
unphysical
region

P ! exp "2 dx2mV(x) " E
1/ 2
a
b
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
2m= 1 E = 0 a = 0 b = a
o

P ! exp "2 dx2mV(x) " E
1/ 2
a
b
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
2m= 1 E = 0 a = 0 b = a
o
Tunneling
probability

P ! exp "2 dx2mV(x) " E
1/ 2
a
b
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
2m= 1 E = 0 a = 0 b = a
o

P ! exp "
3
8G
2
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
# ! G
"2
* P = exp "
3
8
$
%
&
'
(
)
= 0.687
Tunneling
probability

P ! exp "2 dx2mV(x) " E
1/ 2
a
b
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
2m= 1 E = 0 a = 0 b = a
o

P ! exp "
3
8G
2
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
# ! G
"2
* P = exp "
3
8
$
%
&
'
(
)
= 0.687
something (physical universe) 2x as likely as
nothing (unphysical universe)
Tunneling
probability
Is the Universe Eternal?
Is the Universe Eternal?
Eternal universe not mathematically
forbidden
Is the Universe Eternal?
Eternal universe not mathematically
forbidden
Cant prove universe had a beginning from
any theorems based on general relativity
Is the Universe Eternal?
Eternal universe not mathematically
forbidden
Cant prove universe had a beginning from
any theorems based on general relativity
The biverse is a possible natural scenario
Is the Universe Eternal?
Eternal universe not mathematically
forbidden
Cant prove universe had a beginning from
any theorems based on general relativity
The biverse is a possible natural scenario
Does creation make any sense with
different arrows of time?
Is the Universe Eternal?
Eternal universe not mathematically
forbidden
Cant prove universe had a beginning from
any theorems based on general relativity
The biverse is a possible natural scenario
Does creation make any sense with
different arrows of time?
Two universes began at t = 0
Is the Universe Eternal?
Eternal universe not mathematically
forbidden
Cant prove universe had a beginning from
any theorems based on general relativity
The biverse is a possible natural scenario
Does creation make any sense with
different arrows of time?
Two universes began at t = 0
Eternal from observers point of view in
either universe
Is the Universe
Eternal?
Is the Universe
Eternal?
Paradox: Universe has a
beginning and is eternal