Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-07-05
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
11 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX, to appear in "Universe or Multiverse?", ed. B.J.Carr, Cambridge University Press (2005)
Scientific paper
In a model where a multiverse wavefunction explores a multitude of vacua with different symmetries and parameters, properties of universes closely related to ours can be understood by examining the consequences of small departures of physical parameters from their observed values. The masses of the light fermions that make up the stable matter of which we are made-- the up and down quarks, and the electron-- have values in a narrow window that both allows a variety of nuclei other than protons to exist, and at the same time allows atoms with stable shells of electrons that are not devoured by their nuclei. These fundamental parameters of the Standard Model are good candidates for quantities whose values are determined through selection effects within a multiverse, since a living world of molecules needs stable nuclei other than just protons and neutrons. If the fermion masses are fixed by brane condensation or compactification of extra dimensions, there may be observable fossils of the branching event, such as a gravitational wave background.
No associations
LandOfFree
Quarks, Electrons, and Atoms in Closely Related Universes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Quarks, Electrons, and Atoms in Closely Related Universes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quarks, Electrons, and Atoms in Closely Related Universes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-72535