Hawking radiation may have shaped universe's early formation

New research suggests that black hole radiation, which was first theorized by physicist Stephen Hawking, might have played a role in shaping the universe after the Big Bang. In the 1970s, Hawking proposed that black holes could emit radiation, known as Hawking radiation, instead of just absorbing matter. This concept is still largely theoretical because the radiation is very weak, making it difficult to detect from larger black holes. According to the recent study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, primordial black holes, which likely formed shortly after the Big Bang, could have emitted significant amounts of this radiation. This emission might have influenced the early structure of the universe. The researchers theorized that during an early phase, the energy density of the universe could have been dominated by these primordial black holes. As they evaporated through Hawking radiation, they may have left marks on the cosmos we see today. While larger black holes emit very weak radiation, smaller primordial black holes could have emitted particles that significantly affected how galaxies and other structures formed. The study examined how different particles resulting from Hawking radiation might impact cosmic matter distribution. For instance, fast-moving particles could hinder the formation of small galaxies. The researchers also considered the idea that some of these particles, called Hawking relics, might still exist today and could contribute to dark matter, which makes up a large portion of the universe. However, the findings suggested that Hawking relics do not strongly match the profile of dark matter. Despite not finding direct evidence for Hawking relics, the team remains hopeful that future advancements in technology could allow for their detection. Discovering these relics would enhance our understanding of the early universe and black hole physics. In conclusion, while the theoretical nature of Hawking radiation remains, its influence on the early universe is a promising area for further research, potentially offering insights into both cosmology and particle physics.