Inflation and Creation of Matter in the Universe

Author(s):  
A. Linde

Accurate experiments have shown that the local inertial frame is the one with respect to which the distant parts of the universe are non-rotating. This coincidence, first noticed by Newton, later led to the formulation of Mach’s principle. It is known that relativity theory by itself cannot explain this coincidence. The introduction of a scalar ‘creation field’ into the theory is likely to improve the situation. Calculation shows that the continuous creation of matter has the effect of smoothing out any irregularities in the universe as it expands, while rotation, if present, becomes less and less. This explains the observed remarkable degree of homogeneity and isotropy in the universe.


It is shown that the continuous creation of matter can be treated by the standard methods of general relativity provided that the possibility of a ‘zero-point’ stress is allowed. The matter ‘created’ is the mass-equivalent of the work done by this stress in the expansion of the universe. According to relativity theory this stress also makes a contribution to the density of gravitational mass. When these two effects are taken into account it is shown that the Newtonian analogues of relativistic models of the universe discovered by Milne and the writer can be extended to cover all relativistic models. This result makes it possible to obtain a unified physical interpretation of Hoyle’s treatment of the cosmological problem. It is suggested that the interpretation in terms of a zero-point stress may lead to a connexion with the quantum theory of fields.


This is a short report of a small contribution to a very old problem, the problem expressed by Newton in the following well-known words: ‘The effects which distinguish absolute motion from relative motion are the forces of receding from the axis of circular motion. For there are no such forces in a circular motion purely relative, but in a true and absolute circular motion they are greater, or less, according to the quantity of the motion. After this, Newton went on to discuss his experiments of a rotating water-filled bucket suspended from a twisted thread. The crucial point was that whenever rotation occurred relative to some particular reference frame the surface of the water became depressed; an absolute effect not a relative one. It was also clear that the reference frame, relative to which inertial forces were observed, coincided within experimental error with the frame in which distant objects in the universe were non-rotating. More accurate later experiments have confirmed this coincidence. Since the coincidence can scarcely be accidental it is necessary to attempt an explanation of it.


Nature ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 164 (4180) ◽  
pp. 1006-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. GOLD

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