Formation of Quiescent Big Bang Singularities

Explore a cutting-edge lecture on the formation of quiescent big bang singularities in general relativity. Delve into the fundamental question of whether big bang singularities naturally occur in solutions to Einstein's equations. Trace the historical development from early explicit solutions to Hawking's singularity theorem, and examine recent advancements in stable big bang formation research. Learn about a new result that identifies a general condition for big bang formation in initial data, without the need for proximity to symmetric background solutions. Discover how this finding reproduces previous results in Einstein-scalar field and Einstein-vacuum settings, while extending to the Einstein-non-linear scalar field context. Gain insights into the future and past global non-linear stability of large classes of spatially locally homogeneous solutions. This 50-minute talk, part of the Thematic Programme on "Nonlinear Waves and Relativity" at the Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for Mathematics and Physics, offers a deep dive into advanced concepts in general relativity and cosmology.