Our universe, which has been in existence for 13.7 billion years, is facing a significant risk due to the instability of the Higgs boson. The Higgs boson is a fundamental particle responsible for the mass and interactions of all known particles. This instability is highlighted in recent research accepted for publication in Physical Letters B, suggesting that certain models of the early universe involving light primordial black holes could have triggered the Higgs boson to end the cosmos by now.
The Higgs field is a fundamental aspect of particle physics, akin to a still water bath that permeates the entire universe. Its uniform properties allow for consistent particle masses and interactions across the cosmos, giving rise to the physics we observe today. However, the Higgs field may not be in its lowest energy state, posing the risk of a phase transition that could dramatically alter the laws of physics.
A phase transition in the Higgs field could create low-energy bubbles with entirely different physics within them. This sudden change would impact the mass and interactions of particles, leading to significant disruptions in atomic structures. Recent measurements from the Large Hadron Collider suggest that such an event may be plausible, although it is likely to occur billions of years in the future.
The formation of bubbles in the Higgs field requires external energy sources, such as strong gravitational fields or hot plasma, to facilitate the process. While the universe’s extreme environments shortly after the Big Bang could have triggered such bubbling, thermal effects stabilized the Higgs field during that time, preventing any catastrophic consequences.
Primordial black holes, emerging from dense regions of spacetime in the early universe, have been proposed as a source of constant bubbling in the Higgs field. These light black holes, predicted by various cosmological models, would contribute to energy fluctuations due to their mass and Hawking radiation. However, the existence of such black holes would contradict our current understanding, as their presence would likely have led to the universe’s destabilization.
Analytical calculations and numerical simulations suggest that the constant bubbling induced by primordial black holes would render their existence highly improbable. Unless significant evidence is found in ancient radiation or gravitational waves, we may need to reconsider cosmological scenarios predicting their presence. The discovery of such evidence could unveil new particles or forces that protect the Higgs field from destabilization.
The ongoing exploration of the universe, from the microscopic realm of particles to the vast expanse of cosmic phenomena, reveals the intricate balance that sustains our existence. While the instability of the Higgs boson poses a theoretical risk, our current understanding suggests that the universe remains stable for the foreseeable future. As scientists continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, new discoveries may reshape our understanding of the universe’s fundamental forces and particles.