Quantum foam

Quantum foam is a term from physics that describes vividly what happens when one applies the two great theories of physics, quantum field theory and general relativity, on an extremely small scale of 10-35 meters ( so-called Planck length ). This would permanently small bubbles in space-time and again coincide. John Archibald Wheeler gave this phenomenon in 1955 ( engl. Quantum foam or Spacetime foam) the first casual -intentioned name quantum foam, which later found its way into literature.

Theory

Quantum effects mix the space-time at small distances on to quantum foam. From the viewpoint of the quantum theory, the vacuum is not empty, but is filled with virtual particles. The basis of the processes in the quantum vacuum is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, in particular their fundamental relationship between energy and time. These two quantities are in accordance with the following formula is not defined simultaneously with arbitrary precision:

Where the Planck constant and is.

This relationship states that particles of energy can occur spontaneously and exist for a time, but then have to disappear again.

The brief emergence of virtual particle pairs each consisting of a particle of matter and antimatter particles called a vacuum fluctuation. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle allows this is that for a short period of conservation of energy is violated. For sufficiently short times particles with arbitrarily large energy or mass () can occur. The greater the energy required, so the heavier the particle pairs, the shorter the period of their existence. Because, according to quantum theory, the universe can ' borrow ' energy in some way. The more energy is borrowed it, the faster it has to be repaid. This is all done in chronological order of magnitude of 10-27 seconds. The emerging and disappearing particles can already be called quantum foam. However, according to general relativity theory (ART), the particle masses bend the surrounding space-time. The result is a mess that is sometimes referred to by the term space-time foam. The space is no longer smooth, but a wild Gekrissel for which the equations of general relativity no longer apply.

A solution to this dilemma could be the development of a quantum theory of gravity, which combines quantum theory and general relativity. The newer model of loop quantum gravity is based on a spin - foam. The forming "bubbles" of quantum foam could be whole mini- universes that were inflated by the Inflationsära to large-scale macro - universes after a speculative notion of quantum cosmology. Most of these bubbles should be, however, " exploded ": it is supposed that could not start from any inflation phase.

Evidence for the existence of " quantum foam " does not yet exist, however. An attempt to demonstrate the influence of the quantum foam to cosmic gamma radiation was. For this, the gamma radiation of the galaxies Markarian 421 and Markarian 501 was examined, but no characters are found that indicate the existence of the quantum foam.