Cyclic Cosmology
The universe is a self-resetting oscillator. Gravity drives expansion. The ground state is zero. Everything returns to equilibrium.
Overview
In the elastic lattice, cosmology is not a one-time event but a self-resetting cycle. The same lattice mechanics that govern particles and forces also determine the fate of the universe — and guarantee that it begins again.
Gravity Drives Expansion
Gravity is longitudinal compression of the lattice. In d = 3 spatial dimensions, compression produces a 2:1 over-correction — the restoring force overshoots equilibrium by a factor of (d−1)/d = 2/3. This net outward surplus is dark energy.
The key insight: without matter, there is no gravity, and without gravity, there is no expansion. An empty lattice is perfectly static. Matter creates compression, compression over-corrects, and expansion results. Gravity does not oppose expansion — it causes it.
Ground State = Zero
Every wave in the lattice is a disturbance away from equilibrium. The medium’s natural state is zero displacement, zero energy. All physics — particles, forces, radiation — is the lattice trying to relax back to this ground state.
This is not a postulate. It follows directly from the Hookean potential: V(x) = (ka²/π²)[1−cos(πx/a)], which has its minimum at x = 0 with V(0) = 0.
The Full Cycle
The universe proceeds through a repeating sequence of phases:
1. Expansion Phase
Matter creates gravitational compression. The lattice over-corrects, driving expansion. New nodes are created (not stretched). This is the phase we currently observe.
2. Exhaustion Phase
Matter gradually converts to radiation via stellar processes and decay. Radiation redshifts with expansion. Energy density approaches zero. The lattice asymptotically approaches its ground state.
3. Co-dependence & Collapse
Matter sustains the lattice structure. As matter exhausts, the lattice loses its structural support. The empty lattice collapses — violently, propagating at c, compressing all remaining energy to Planck density.
4. Re-ignition (Big Bang)
At Planck density, the cosine potential barrier is at its peak — maximally unstable. The compressed energy cascades over the barrier, releasing in an explosive phase transition. This is the Big Bang. The cycle resets.
Timescales
The expansion phase dominates the cycle, lasting on the order of 10100–10150 years. The collapse phase is comparatively brief: roughly 1010 years, limited by the speed of light propagation across the observable universe.
Each cycle is self-contained. No information survives the Planck-density compression. Every Big Bang starts fresh from the same initial conditions — the cosine barrier peak.
Why This Is Not Speculative Recycling
Previous cyclic models (Steinhardt-Turok, Penrose CCC) require new physics or conformal geometry. This cycle requires nothing beyond the lattice:
- Gravity drives expansion — derived from d = 3 elastic mechanics
- Ground state zero — follows from V(0) = 0 in the cosine potential
- Collapse — follows from co-dependence of matter and lattice structure
- Re-ignition — follows from the Planck-density instability of V(x)
The expansion phase is well-supported (Tier 2). The collapse and re-ignition are conjectured from the same mechanics (Tier 3).
Predictions
Interactive Tool
Explore the cyclic cosmology model with the interactive simulator: Cyclic Cosmology Simulator →