Is the Big Rip unreachable?

TL;DR

This paper explores how particle production in a phantom-dominated universe prevents a Big Rip singularity, leading to a stabilized density and potential cyclic cosmology.

Contribution

It demonstrates that particle production backreaction halts the Big Rip, resulting in a stabilized density and a subsequent de-Sitter phase, suggesting a cyclic universe scenario.

Findings

Particle production prevents the Big Rip singularity.

The universe stabilizes at a large constant density.

A subsequent de-Sitter inflationary phase occurs.

Abstract

I investigate the repercussions of particle production when the Universe is dominated by a hypothetical phantom substance. I show that backreaction due to particle production prevents the density from shooting to infinity at a Big Rip, but instead forces it to stabilise at a large constant value. Afterwards there is a period of de-Sitter inflation. I speculate that this might lead to a cyclic Universe.