In string theory, any dimensional collapse below the planck length yields a universe with properties exactly the same as a universe with a radius that is the reciprocal of the scale factor of the collapsing universe. In other words, a universe that has a radius of half a planck length is identicle to a universe of a radius of two planck lengths (reciprocal). This of course encompasses higher dimensional radii then just the usual three axis directions. In Hawking-Penrose theory on black holes, a finite mass black hole contains a singularity that consists of a mass which seems to just collapse faster and faster forever. Eventualy it will collapse to a planck size radius. After that it just collapses faster into an ever smaller size. Tie these above two paragraphs together and what you get is a dimensional collapse to a planck length. Then after further collapse a universe is yielded directly equal to the one with its reciprocal radius. In other words, in string theory.....the singularity of a black hole yields an identicle universe to the one that collapsed which expands faster and faster (inflates). Kinda like our universe. Our universe may vey well be a sub-planck sized singularity in an extremely large blackhole that we percieve to have a reciprocal raidus to our universe, (extremly small) to us. The actual sizes of the universes are relative. Our universe began as the result of a gravitational collapse in another universe, and continues to expand as long as the outside universe sees us contract due to gravity. The cosmological constant, then, is a gravitational field that exists inside our universe, but is an actual field that exists in a higher universe. We perceive this as a repulsive force, because string theory says that as we contract, we perceive expansion. This is all very hard to explain but if you know what I mean please comment, or correct my thinking.

• Re: String theory and our universe as a black hole...Zephram - Zephram_Cochrane/">Zephram Cochrane - January 14, 2000 - 05:43 UTC
  • RE: Re: String theory and our universe as a black hole...Zephram - try - May 23, 2000 - 10:08 UTC