Nikodem Popławski

Nikodem Poplawski (born 1975) is a theoretical physicist at Indiana University, most widely noted for the proposal that our Universe may be located within a black hole which itself exists in an even larger universe.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]} Poplawski's theory presents an alternative to the popular theory that within black holes lie gravitational singularities and provides a theoretical explanation, based on spacetime torsion, for a cosmological scenario of fecund universes proposed earlier by Lee Smolin.^[8]

Poplawski appeared in Episode 5 of a Discovery Channel show, Curiosity, titled "Parallel Universes - Are They Real?", which aired in September 2011.^[9]

Theory

Based on analysis of the Einstein-Cartan-Sciama-Kibble Theory of Gravity's explanation of torsion as a result of particle spin, Poplawski suggests that when matter density reaches more than about 10⁵⁰ kilograms per cubic meter inside a black hole, torsion manifests itself as a force that counters gravity, and that, rather than forming a singularity, it quickly rebounds like a coiled spring to which pressure has been applied.^[10][11] Poplawski theorizes that this extraordinary level of torsion may account for what is observed as the current expansion of the spatially flat, homogeneous and isotropic universe, the prevailing explanation for which is known as cosmic inflation.^[12] The rotation of a black hole would influence the spacetime inside it, resulting in a "preferred direction" within our universe, and therefore, Poplawski suggests that observable violations of Lorentz symmetry might provide evidence for his theory. Neutrinos which have been observed oscillating from one type to another have been suggested as the occurrence of such a violation.

The theory further suggests that every black hole becomes a wormhole that contains a new, expanding universe which forms from the big bounce in the black hole. Black holes at the center of the Milky Way and other galaxies may thus be bridges to other universes.^[13][14][15] Accordingly, our own Universe may be the interior of a black hole existing inside another universe, as proposed earlier by Raj Pathria.^[16]

Biography

Poplawski received an M.S. in Astronomy from the University of Warsaw (1999), and M.S. and PhD degrees in Physics from Indiana University (2004).

See also

• Black-hole cosmology

References

1. ^ Poplawski, N. J. (2010). "Radial motion into an Einstein-Rosen bridge". Physics Letters B 687: 110. Bibcode 2010PhLB..687..110P. doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2010.03.029. 
2. ^ Indiana University Newsroom: "Our universe at home within a larger universe? So suggests IU theoretical physicist's wormhole research"
3. ^ National Geographic Daily News: "Every Black Hole Contains Another Universe?"
4. ^ Science Now: "Does Our Universe Live Inside a Wormhole?"
5. ^ Space.com: "Our Universe Was Born in a Black Hole, Theory Says"
6. ^ National Geographic Daily News: "Top Ten Discoveries of 2010: Nat Geo News's Most Popular"
7. ^ Science Now: "Top 10 ScienceNOWs of 2010"
8. ^ Smolin, L. (1992). "Did the Universe evolve?". Classical and Quantum Gravity 9: 173. doi:10.1088/0264-9381/9/1/016. 
9. ^ Discovery Channel: Curiosity: "Parallel Universes - Are They Real?"
10. ^ New Scientist, Vol. 207, No. 2770, p. 9 (2010): "Every black hole may hold a hidden universe"
11. ^ Washington Post: "Cosmologist's theory about black holes puts a new spin on the universe"
12. ^ Poplawski, N. J. (2010). "Cosmology with torsion: An alternative to cosmic inflation". Physics Letters B 694: 181. doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2010.09.056. 
13. ^ Popular Science: "Are We Living Inside a Black Hole?"
14. ^ National Post: "We may exist inside a black hole, scientist says"
15. ^ Telegraph: "A universe could exist 'inside every black hole,' claims scientist"
16. ^ Pathria, R. K. (1972). "The Universe as a Black Hole". Nature 240 (5379): 298. doi:10.1038/240298a0. 

External links

• Academic website
• Bibliography of physics publications

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Name	Poplawski, Nikodem
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Date of birth	1975
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