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Is the Big-Bang a huge instability?

  • Date: 2016
  • Proposal to: John Templeton Foundation
  • Manager: Giovanni Montani
  • Team: an experienced Postdoctoral Fellow, having a solid background in General Relativity, Cosmology and Quantum Physics and a PhD Student, who has expertise in Theoretical Cosmology

Mathematical Cosmology and Primordial Plasma Dynamics

Mathematical Cosmology investigates the behavior of the gravitational field near the primordial singularity using generalized (often anisotropic) models. While it provides insights into the dynamics of the early Universe, it tends to neglect the physical conditions of the pre-inflationary phase—particularly the role of plasma and its implications for quantum evolution.

Project Objective

This project aims to bridge that gap by examining the plasma nature of the early Universe and its impact on key dynamical features:

  1. Instability of the isotropic model near the singularity
  2. Mechanisms of large-scale isotropization
  3. Asymptotic dynamics approaching the singularity

Project Overview

We will first study Universe stability within General Relativistic Magneto-Hydrodynamics (GRMHD), using the Bianchi I model with a magnetized source, analyzing the coupling of scalar, vector, and tensor perturbations. Next, we’ll explore the spontaneous generation of currents and magnetic fields in the primordial medium, focusing on weak magnetic inhomogeneities and their influence on inflationary initial conditions and seed generation for cosmic structure.

In the final phase, we will address the generic cosmological dynamics near the singularity through the Bianchi IX model and examine how plasma effects modify the BKL conjecture (Mixmaster dynamics) and the emergence of space-time foam (dry turbulence). We will also consider an ultraviolet cut-off for gravity and explore a modified Big Bounce scenario via Minisuperspace methods and Polymer Quantization, which reflects the discrete nature of cosmic volume.