Supersmoothing through Slow Contraction

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a period of slow contraction in the early universe can effectively homogenize, isotropize, and flatten the cosmos more robustly and rapidly than previously understood, using non-perturbative numerical relativity.

Contribution

It provides a fully non-perturbative analysis showing slow contraction as a supersmoothing phase, expanding understanding of early universe dynamics.

Findings

Slow contraction homogenizes and flattens the universe.

Supersmoothing occurs both classically and quantum mechanically.

The process is more robust and rapid than earlier studies suggested.

Abstract

Performing a fully non-perturbative analysis using the tools of numerical general relativity, we demonstrate that a period of slow contraction is a `supersmoothing' cosmological phase that homogenizes, isotropizes and flattens the universe both classically and quantum mechanically and can do so far more robustly and rapidly than had been realized in earlier studies.