On the Creation of the Universe via Ekpyrotic Instantons
Lorenzo Battarra, Jean-Luc Lehners

TL;DR
This paper introduces a new class of complex instantons within ekpyrotic cosmology that, under no-boundary conditions, suggest a high probability for a universe originating from a contracting phase, potentially more likely than inflation.
Contribution
It presents novel ekpyrotic instantons satisfying no-boundary conditions, highlighting their significance in universe creation models and their high likelihood compared to inflationary scenarios.
Findings
Ekpyrotic instantons satisfy no-boundary conditions.
These instantons favor a contracting universe origin.
They potentially surpass inflation in likelihood as universe origins.
Abstract
We present a new class of complex instantons in the context of ekpyrotic cosmological theories. These instantons, which satisfy the "no-boundary" boundary conditions, describe the emergence of a classical, contracting universe out of nothing. The ekpyrotic attractor is essential in guaranteeing an evolution towards a real, Lorentzian history of the universe. In the context of the no-boundary proposal, the relative probability for such ekpyrotic histories compared to inflationary ones is very high -- in fact, assuming a bounce can be incorporated, these new instantons currently describe the most likely origin of the universe.
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