Einstein's aborted attempt at a dynamic steady-state universe

TL;DR

Einstein explored a dynamic steady-state universe model in 1931, which involved continuous creation of matter, but it was invalidated due to a numerical error in his calculations.

Contribution

This paper uncovers Einstein's early attempt at a steady-state cosmology, predating similar ideas by several decades, and analyzes his unpublished draft from 1931.

Findings

Einstein's 1931 draft proposed a stationary, expanding universe with matter creation.

A numerical error in Einstein's calculations led to the collapse of his steady-state model.

The model anticipated later steady-state theories by Bondi, Gold, and Hoyle.

Abstract

In June 1930 Einstein visited Cambridge where he stayed with Eddington who had just shown that Einstein's supposedly static universe of 1917 was not stable. This forced Einstein to rethink his cosmology. He spent January and February 1931 at Pasadena. There, he discussed cosmology intensely with Tolman, conscious that he had to replace his original model of 1917. However, at the end of February he still had not made up his mind about an alternative. The Albert Einstein Archives of Jerusalem (AEA) hold an undated draft, handwritten by Einstein, which I date to the beginning of January 1931. In this draft Einstein hopes to have found a solution to the cosmological problem: a stationary, dynamic universe in expansion. His model was stationary because particles leaving a given volume were replaced by particles created out of the vacuum, anticipating an idea of Bondi, Gold and Hoyle published in 1948. He saw the cosmological term as energy reservoir. However, he realised that his calculations contained a numerical error. When the error was corrected his steady-state-model collapsed.