Chaos in the Early Universe

Visualizing the universe right after the Big Bang is almost an impossibility, but computer simulations offer a glimpse. Einstein’s theory of gravity allows us to model the early universe as a billiard ball on a triangular table, shaped by immense gravitational forces present right after the Big Bang. We solve Einstein’s equations using a computer program to generate images which provide a window into the universe 13.7 billion years ago. Each point in the images represents the universe on a triangular table. As the universe evolves toward a vertex of the triangle, it forms fractal-like patterns—a sign of early cosmic chaos. Fractals, common in nature, also appear in chaotic systems like in the Lorenz system describing weather patterns. Quantum physics shapes physics near the Big Bang. Our research examines its effects on Einstein’s gravity. Moving left to right in the image, classical and quantum matter are added, refining our understanding of the early universe. The second row introduces quantum effects in gravity, and in the bottom right—where both matter and gravity are quantum—chaos diminishes, seen in reduced self-similarity. Our work provides insight into how quantum physics shaped the early universe, revealing the balance between order and chaos.