# Topological Pattern Formation

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## Abstract

We provide an informal discussion of pattern formation in a finite universe. The global size and shape of the universe is revealed in the pattern of hot and cold spots in the cosmic microwave background. Topological pattern formation can be used to reconstruct the geometry of space, just as gravitational lensing is used to reconstruct the geometry of a lens.

Contribution to the conference proceedings for the “Cosmological Topology in Paris” (CTP98) workshop.

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We have all come to accept that spacetime is curved. Yet the idea that space is topologically connected still meets with resistance. One is no more exotic than the other. In the true spirit of Einstein’s revolution, gravity is a theory of geometry and geometry has two facets: curvature and topology.

The big bang paradigm forces us to consider the topology of the universe. As best as we can ascertain, when the universe was created both gravity and quantum mechanics were at work. Any theory which incorporates gravity and quantum mechanics must assign a topology to the universe. String theory is currently the most powerful model which naturally hosts gravity in a unified framework. It should not be overlooked that in string theory there are six extra dimensions all of which must be topologically compact. In order to create a viable low-energy theory, the internal dimensions are finite Calabi-Yau manifolds. We naturally wonder why a universe would be created with six compact dimensions and four infinite ones. A more equitable beginning might create all spatial dimensions compact and of comparable size. Six dynamically squeeze down while the other three inflate. In fact, it is dynamically possible for inflation of $`3`$-space to be kinetically driven by the contraction of internal dimensions . Whatever mechanism stabilizes the internal dimensions at a small size would likewise stabilize the external dimensions at an inversely large size. Topology need not be at odds with inflation.

Another interesting possibility is that the topology itself naturally selects the expansion of $`3`$-dimensions and the contraction of $`6`$. The topology can create boundary contributions to an effective cosmological constant. The sign and magnitude of the vacuum energy depends on the topology and it is conceivable that it selects three dimensions for expansion and three for contraction in a kind of inside/out inflation. In the wake of the recent observational evidence that there is a cosmological constant today, the pursuit of these calculations is worthwhile. Perhaps we are still inflating as the vacuum energy tracks the topology scale.

Our quest to measure the large-scale curvature of the universe may also produce a measurement of the topology. (For a review and a collection of papers see .) Topological lensing of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) results in multiple images of the same points in different directions. Pattern formation in the universe’s hot and cold spots reveals the global topology . Just as with gravitational lensing, the location, number and distribution of repeated points will allow the reconstruction of the geometry. The circles of Ref.  are specific collections of topologically lensed points.

We demonstrate topological pattern formation with the Thurston space, popular in homage to the Thurston person . The space corresponds to $`m003(2,3)`$ in the SnapPea census . A CMB map of the sky does not immediately reveal the geometry. If we scan the sky for correlations between points we can draw out the hidden pattern. There are an infinite number of possible correlated spheres. The sphere of fig. 1 is antipody; the correlation of every point on the sky with its opposite point,

$$A(\widehat{n})=\frac{\delta T(\widehat{n})}{T}\frac{\delta T(\widehat{n})}{T}.$$
(1)   
In an infinite universe, light originating from opposite directions would be totally uncorrelated. The ensemble average antipodal correlation would produce a monopole with no structure. In a finite universe by contrast, light which is received from opposite directions may in fact have originated from the same location and simply took different paths around the finite cosmos. The antipody map would then show structure as it caught the recurrence of near or identical sources. Again, the analogy with gravitational lensing is apparent.

We estimate antipody following the method of Ref. . We take the correlation between two points to be the correlation they would have in an unconnected, infinite space given their minimum separation. The curvature is everywhere negative and the spectrum of fluctuations are taken to be flat and Gaussian, even in the absence of inflation. This is justified on a compact, hyperbolic space since, according to the tenents of quantum chaos, the amplitude of quantum fluctuations are drawn from a Gaussian random ensemble with a flat spectrum consistent with random matrix theory. To find the minimum distance we move the points under comparison back into the fundamental domain using the generators for the compact manifold. The result for the Thurston space with $`\mathrm{\Omega }_o=0.3`$ is shown in fig. 1. Notice the interesting arcs of correlated points. Clearly there is topological lensing at work. Arcs were also found under antipody for the Weeks space in Ref. . If antipody were a symmetry of the space then at least some circles of correlated points representing the intersection of copies of the surface of last scatter with itself would have been located , as were found for the Best space . Antipody is by definition symmetric under a rotation by $`\pi `$ and so the back of the sphere is identical to the front.

There are an infinite number of correlated spheres which can be used to systematically reconstruct the geometry of the fundamental domain. Another example is a correlation of one point in the sky with the rest of the sphere,

$$C_P(\widehat{n})=\frac{\delta T(\widehat{n}_P)}{T}\frac{\delta T(\widehat{n})}{T}.$$
(2)   
This selects out recurrent images of the one point. In an unconnected, infinite space, the sphere would only show one spot, namely the correlation of the point with itself. In fig. 2 we have a kaleidescope of images providing detailed information on the underlying space. There is a trifold symmetry in fig. 2. Notice that there is a band of points moving from the middle upward vertically which then bends over to the left and that this band repeats twice making an overall three-pronged swirl emanating from the middle of the figure. Since this correlated sphere is not symmetric under $`\pi `$, we also show the back of the sphere in fig. 3. A different pattern emerges but still with the tri-fold symmetry. There is a three-leaf arrangement of spots in the center of the figure.

We need the improved resolution and signal-to-noise of the future satellite missions MAP and Planck Surveyor to observe topological pattern formation. High resolution information will be critical in distinguishing fictitious correlations from real spots. Beyond the CMB, a finite universe would sculpt the distribution of structure on the largest scales. Even if we never see repeated images of galaxies or clusters of galaxies, the physical distribution of matter could be shaped by the shape of space. The topological identifications select discrete modes and the modes themselves can in turn trace the identifications. The result is an overall web of primordial fluctuations in the gravitational potential specific to the finite space. A web-like distribution of matter would then be inherent in the initial primordial spectrum . This is different from the structureless distribution of points one would expect in an infinite cosmos.

We close with the more fanciful possibility that even time is compact. If time is compact, every event would repeat precisely as set by the age of the universe. Only a universe which is able to naturally return to its own infancy could be consistent with a closed time loop. A big crunch which feeds another big bang could allow our entire history to repeat. The same galaxies form and the same stars and planets and people. Even a proponent of free will can see that at the very least we would be limited in the choices we are or are not free to make. We would live out the same lives, make the same choices, make the same mistakes. Of course, in a quantum creation of the universe, different galaxies would form in different locations composed of different stars and new planets. We would not be here but chances are, someone would. Even if our CMB sky does not look like the Thurston pattern, perhaps someone’s does. 

JL thanks the participants and organizers of CTP98.