On the quantum origin of the seeds of cosmic structure

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the quantum origins of cosmic structure, highlighting the assumptions and gaps in current models, and suggests that new physics may be needed to fully explain the transition from quantum to classical states in cosmology.

Contribution

It identifies implicit assumptions in existing models and proposes that novel physics is necessary to understand the quantum-to-classical transition in cosmic structure formation.

Findings

Current models assume a transition without detailed analysis.

New physics may be required to explain the quantum-to-classical transition.

The approach opens new avenues for extracting cosmological and quantum gravity insights.

Abstract

The current understanding of the quantum origin of cosmic structure is discussed critically. We point out that in the existing treatments a transition from a symmetric quantum state to an (essentially classical) non-symmetric state is implicitly assumed, but not specified or analyzed in any detail. In facing the issue we are led to conclude that new physics is required to explain the apparent predictive power of the usual schemes. Furthermore we show that the novel way of looking at the relevant issues opens new windows from where relevant information might be extracted regarding cosmological issues and perhaps even clues about aspects of quantum gravity.