The end of the Universe can occur much earlier than previously expected, because of the process known as vacuum decay. Scientists warn that this catastrophic scenario can occur 10,000 years earlier than previously considered, although still in the distant future.
The vacuum in the context of physics is not just an empty space, but a special condition in which quantum fields are on their minimum values. One of these fields is Higgsa field, which controls the mass of fundamental particles such as electrons and quarks. Unlike other quantum fields, the Higgs field is of non-swarming value in its “vacuum” state, which allows the particles to have mass. If the value of the Higgs field was zero, these particles would be massless.
Quantum mechanics allows the field to suddenly “tunnel” to a lower energy level, bypassing intermediate states, which can be compared with the ability to go through the wall without the use of a sufficient amount of energy. Until recently, it was believed that the current state of the Higgs field is the lowest possible. However, recent studies show that there is a lower-energy state into which the field can go, which will cause vacuum decay.
Graphically, this condition can be represented as energy displayed in the form of a curve that resembles sombrero with the edges bent up. The current state of the Higgs field is depicted as a ball resting at the bottom of this curve. However, thin quantum corrections can change the shape of this curve, creating new deeper areas where the Higgs field can suddenly “fail”. These corrections arise due to the interaction between different quantum fields, such as the interaction between electrons and the electromagnetic field that change the energy levels of atoms.
The mass Bosona Higgs, particles that transmit the effects of the Higgs field, was determined after its opening in 2012 on a large adrone collider. However, further corrections of the shape of the curve occur due to particles with high mass, such as top quarks, the most