Wormhole time machines and multiple histories

DOI10.1007/S10714-023-03094-8zbMATH Open1528.83035arXiv2110.02448OpenAlexW3204320263MaRDI QIDQ6132931FDOQ6132931

Jared Wogan, Barak Shoshany

Publication date: 15 July 2023

Published in: General Relativity and Gravitation (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: In a previous paper, we showed that a class of time travel paradoxes which cannot be resolved using Novikov's self-consistency conjecture can be resolved by assuming the existence of multiple histories or parallel timelines. However, our proof was obtained using a simplistic toy model, which was formulated using contrived laws of physics. In the present paper we define and analyze a new model of time travel paradoxes, which is more compatible with known physics. This model consists of a traversable Morris-Thorne wormhole time machine in 3+1 spacetime dimensions. We define the spacetime topology and geometry of the model, calculate the geodesics of objects passing through the time machine, and prove that this model inevitably leads to paradoxes which cannot be resolved using Novikov's conjecture, but can be resolved using multiple histories. An open-source simulation of our new model using Mathematica is available for download on GitHub. We also provide additional arguments against the Novikov self-consistency conjecture by considering two new paradoxes, the switch paradox and the password paradox, for which assuming self-consistency inevitably leads to counter-intuitive consequences. Our new results provide more substantial support to our claim that if time travel is possible, then multiple histories or parallel timelines must also be possible.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2110.02448

zbMATH Keywords

wormholetime machine

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Geodesics in global differential geometry (53C22) Gravitational energy and conservation laws; groups of motions (83C40) Dynamics in general topological spaces (37B02) Mathematical modeling or simulation for problems pertaining to relativity and gravitational theory (83-10)

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