Toward the End of Time

TL;DR

This paper investigates the non-perturbative matrix theory description of null-brane space-time, revealing that near the big crunch singularity, space-time transitions into an interacting gluon phase, challenging conventional notions of space and time.

Contribution

It derives fermion couplings in the matrix model of null-brane space-time and analyzes quantum effects near the singularity, proposing a transition to a gluon phase.

Findings

Particle production occurs near the singularity.

A time-dependent potential influences the dynamics.

Space-time is replaced by an interacting gluon phase at the crunch.

Abstract

The null-brane space-time provides a simple model of a big crunch/big bang singularity. A non-perturbative definition of M-theory on this space-time was recently provided using matrix theory. We derive the fermion couplings for this matrix model and study the leading quantum effects. These effects include particle production and a time-dependent potential. Our results suggest that as the null-brane develops a big crunch singularity, the usual notion of space-time is replaced by an interacting gluon phase. This gluon phase appears to constitute the end of our conventional picture of space and time.