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Constraints on the universe as a numerical simulation

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Abstract.

Observable consequences of the hypothesis that the observed universe is a numerical simulation performed on a space-time lattice or grid are explored. The simulation scenario is first motivated by extrapolating current trends in computational resource requirements for lattice QCD into the future. Using the historical development of lattice gauge theory technology as a guide, we assume that our universe is an early numerical simulation and investigate potentially observable consequences. Among the observables that are considered are the muon g - 2 and the current differences between determinations of \( \alpha\), but the most stringent bound on the inverse lattice spacing of the universe, \( b^{-1}\gtrsim 10^{11}\) GeV, is derived from the high-energy cut off of the cosmic ray spectrum. The numerical simulation scenario could reveal itself in the distributions of the highest-energy cosmic rays exhibiting a degree of rotational symmetry breaking that reflects the structure of the underlying lattice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Nuclear Theory, Box 351550, 98195-1550, Seattle, WA, USA

    Silas R. Beane

  2. Helmholtz-Institut für Strahlen- und Kernphysik (Theorie), Universität Bonn, D-53115, Bonn, Germany

    Silas R. Beane

  3. Department of Physics, University of Washington, Box 351560, 98195, Seattle, WA, USA

    Zohreh Davoudi & Martin J. Savage

Authors
  1. Silas R. Beane
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  2. Zohreh Davoudi
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  3. Martin J. Savage
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Correspondence to Silas R. Beane.

Additional information

Communicated by U.-G. Meißner

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Beane, S.R., Davoudi, Z. & J. Savage, M. Constraints on the universe as a numerical simulation. Eur. Phys. J. A 50, 148 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2014-14148-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2014-14148-0

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