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Published March 16, 2026 | Version 3.0.0
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Transient Domain-Wall Networks from Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking: A Unified Solution to the Hubble Tension and Nanohertz Gravitational Waves

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Independent Researcher

Description

Version 3 Update:

This version represents a major update to the manuscript, incorporating comprehensive technical refinements and supplementary materials for full reproducibility. Key updates include:

  • Numerical Implementation & Source Code: For the first time, the complete Python source code used for numerical simulations, background evolution solver, and figure generation (Figures 6, 7, and 8) is included as a supplementary archive.

  • Enhanced Theoretical Framework: Detailed derivations in the Appendices have been expanded to clarify the domain-wall tension calculation from the scalar field theory and the horizon scaling regime.

  • Bibliographic Refinement: The reference list has been thoroughly updated to include the latest 2024-2025 results from PTA collaborations (NANOGrav, EPTA) and current developments in modified Friedmann cosmologies.

  • Structural Improvements: Technical consistency checks regarding the Effective Field Theory (EFT) cutoff and vacuum bias mechanisms have been integrated to address potential referee inquiries.

Abstract:

We present a cosmological model where an initially symmetric two-field scalar sector undergoes spontaneous symmetry breaking, leading to the formation of a transient domain-wall network. Starting from a fundamental action, we derive the full background dynamics and show that the coarse-grained energy density of the network scales as $\rho_{DW} \propto H$ during a metastable scaling regime. This introduces a linear correction term in the Friedmann equation, generating a late-time enhancement of the expansion rate that can alleviate the Hubble tension. The same physical mechanism produces a stochastic gravitational-wave background during network decay, with a peak frequency in the nanohertz band accessible to pulsar timing arrays. We perform a covariant second-order perturbation analysis using the ADM formalism and demonstrate that isocurvature modes decay exponentially, ensuring consistency with cosmic microwave background constraints. The model contains $\Lambda$CDM as a continuous limit and predicts a correlated observational signature: a percent-level shift in $H_0$ implies a gravitational-wave amplitude $\Omega_{GW} \sim 10^{-9}-10^{-8}$ in the nHz band.

Files

Transient_Domain_Wall_Networks_from_Spontaneous_Symmetry_Breaking__A_Unified_Solution_to_the_Hubble_Tension_and_Nanohertz_Gravitational_Waves__22_.pdf

Additional details

Related works

Is new version of
Preprint: 10.5281/zenodo.19007990 (DOI)

Dates

Updated
2026-03-16

Software

Programming language
Python
Development Status
Active

References

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