The idea of time crystals—structures that exhibit perpetual motion without energy input—offers a fascinating lens through which to explore certain cosmological theories, particularly Conformal Cyclic Cosmology (CCC). CCC, proposed by theoretical physicist Sir Roger Penrose, suggests that the universe goes through infinite cycles or "aeons" of big bangs and expansions, with each cycle eventually leading to another.
Let’s break down how the “point of oblivion” in a time crystal (a moment of perpetual oscillation or stability) might metaphorically and theoretically connect to CCC:
1. Time Crystals and Perpetual Motion
In a time crystal, the system oscillates in a state of continuous, periodic motion, defying conventional thermodynamics by avoiding energy dissipation. The system "ticks" indefinitely, driven by its internal structure rather than external forces.
In cosmology, this concept is analogous to cyclic models of the universe, where the cosmos undergoes a perpetual sequence of expansions and contractions, akin to the never-ending oscillations of a time crystal. The "point of oblivion" in a time crystal could represent a moment where time resets or continues in a stable, undisturbed cycle—just as each cycle of the universe in CCC resets after infinite expansion.
2. Conformal Cyclic Cosmology (CCC)
In CCC, Penrose argues that the end of one universe (after infinite expansion, where everything spreads out and cools) can conformally map onto the next universe’s big bang. The key idea is that the geometry of spacetime becomes smooth and conformally invariant at the end of each aeon. Essentially, the "end" of one universe and the "beginning" of the next become indistinguishable.
This transition echoes the behavior of time crystals:
- A time crystal’s continuous oscillation through time defies classical equilibrium.
- Similarly, in CCC, the universe’s "end" does not result in a heat death or a halt but transitions smoothly into another phase of existence—another aeon.
3. Symmetry Breaking and Time in CCC
Time crystals exhibit discrete time-translation symmetry breaking, meaning that while the system is periodically driven, it settles into a rhythm that is not aligned with the driving force. This periodic but stable oscillation may reflect how CCC’s cycles persist despite the entropic "arrow of time" moving forward.
In CCC:
- The time symmetry is broken between aeons (just as in a time crystal).
- Each aeon appears distinct in physical processes but connected through a deeper, underlying structure (conformal mapping), much like how time crystals’ oscillations are governed by the system’s topology rather than local conditions.
4. Point of Oblivion and Universal Renewal
The “point of oblivion” in a time crystal—the moment where oscillations are stable and perpetual—can be thought of as analogous to the moment of universal reset in CCC:
- At the end of one universe’s aeon, all mass decays, leaving behind pure radiation. Without mass, the concept of time loses meaning, and spacetime becomes conformally flat.
- This state of pure radiation is similar to the time crystal’s state of continual oscillation: no external energy is needed, and yet the system persists in motion.
This “timeless” yet dynamic state mirrors how CCC envisions the universe transitioning from one aeon to the next, with time effectively restarting but governed by deeper, invariant principles.
5. Implications for Understanding the Universe
The existence of time crystals hints that new phases of matter and non-equilibrium systems can persist indefinitely, suggesting that the universe itself might operate under similar principles:
- Topological stability: Just as topological time crystals remain stable despite disturbances, CCC posits that the universe’s fundamental structure (conformal geometry) ensures a smooth transition between aeons.
- Eternal recurrence: The perpetual "swinging" of a time crystal parallels the eternal cycles of the universe in CCC, providing a potential framework for understanding how time might behave in a cyclic cosmos.
Conclusion
The concept of a time crystal’s point of oblivion, where oscillations continue endlessly without external input, offers a compelling analogy for Conformal Cyclic Cosmology. In CCC, the universe undergoes infinite cycles, with each aeon resetting in a state reminiscent of a time crystal’s perpetual motion. Both ideas challenge conventional notions of time and thermodynamics, suggesting that the universe, much like a time crystal, may be governed by deeper symmetries and cycles, allowing it to persist eternally.
