Self-Organised Localisation

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of self-organised localisation in quantum cosmology, where quantum phase transitions act as attractors, potentially explaining the near-criticality of fundamental parameters like the Higgs self-coupling.

Contribution

It proposes a novel mechanism where quantum phase transitions dynamically localize theory parameters, offering explanations for fundamental physical constants.

Findings

Parameters localize around critical values during inflation

Potential explanation for Higgs near-criticality

Addresses naturalness of the Higgs mass and cosmological constant

Abstract

We describe a new phenomenon in quantum cosmology: self-organised localisation. When the fundamental parameters of a theory are functions of a scalar field subject to large fluctuations during inflation, quantum phase transitions can act as dynamical attractors. As a result, the theory parameters are probabilistically localised around the critical value and the Universe finds itself at the edge of a phase transition. We illustrate how self-organised localisation could account for the observed near-criticality of the Higgs self-coupling, the naturalness of the Higgs mass, or the smallness of the cosmological constant.