How Quantum Bubbles Could Trigger the End of Everything

Study Finds ^ | February 4, 2025 | StudyFinds Staff

[SunkenCiv]

· Scientists used a 5,564-qubit quantum computer to simulate and observe "false vacuum decay" — a process that could determine our Universe's ultimate fate by transitioning it to a more stable state

· The research team created and tracked quantum bubbles containing up to 306 qubits, revealing how smaller bubbles bounce around among larger ones in a complex quantum dance that persisted for over 1,000 qubit time units

· This breakthrough demonstrates how table-top quantum experiments can help us understand fundamental cosmic processes without requiring massive facilities like the Large Hadron Collider

Nearly 50 years ago, physicist Sidney Coleman proposed an intriguing idea: our universe might have cooled down into a temporarily stable "false vacuum" state after the Big Bang, rather than immediately settling into its lowest-energy "true vacuum" state. This metastable false vacuum would eventually decay into the true vacuum through a process involving the formation of expanding bubbles – much like how water vapor condenses into liquid droplets...

While the idea of a universe-wide transformation might sound alarming, scientists believe this process would take millions of years to unfold. The real significance of this research lies in its ability to study these cosmic processes in a laboratory setting.

[aquila48]

I have no idea what they just said, but it sounds scary.

[GingisK]

Read the bible. You forgot the whole point.

Sorry to bring you bad news, but that comment makes no sense and lacks pertinence.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks GK!