On the Creation of the Universe via Ekpyrotic Instantons

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.