https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2014-14148-0
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Constraints on the universe as a numerical simulation
1
Institute for Nuclear Theory, Box 351550, 98195-1550, Seattle, WA, USA
2
Helmholtz-Institut für Strahlen- und Kernphysik (Theorie), Universität Bonn, D-53115, Bonn, Germany
3
Department of Physics, University of Washington, Box 351560, 98195, Seattle, WA, USA
* e-mail: beane@hiskp.uni-bonn.de
Received:
5
September
2014
Accepted:
9
September
2014
Published online:
24
September
2014
Observable consequences of the hypothesis that the observed universe is a numerical simulation performed on a space-time lattice or grid are explored. The simulation scenario is first motivated by extrapolating current trends in computational resource requirements for lattice QCD into the future. Using the historical development of lattice gauge theory technology as a guide, we assume that our universe is an early numerical simulation and investigate potentially observable consequences. Among the observables that are considered are the muon g - 2 and the current differences between determinations of 
, but the most stringent bound on the inverse lattice spacing of the universe, 
GeV, is derived from the high-energy cut off of the cosmic ray spectrum. The numerical simulation scenario could reveal itself in the distributions of the highest-energy cosmic rays exhibiting a degree of rotational symmetry breaking that reflects the structure of the underlying lattice.
© SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2014
