Abstract
Undoubtedly complete symmetry of charge in the initial state of the Universe is an attractive idea. However, analysis of observational data1 indicates that the visible Universe contains mostly particles of positive baryon number. Attempts2–6 to reconcile the assumption of initial symmetry with this observed asymmetry have met with some difficulties. However, if one accepts that the Universe is symmetric in baryon charge, then there must be regions of space or objects which contain at least as much antimatter as the matter which we observe. We propose here that the hypothesis of primordial black holes (PBHs)7,8 offers a simple and economic solution of the problem. Because of the well-known ‘no hair’ theorems the baryonic charge of PBHs cannot be observed, and hence PBHs are ideal stores for antimatter.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Steigman, G. A. Rev. Astr. Astrophys. 14, 339–372 (1976).
Alfen, H. Rev. mod. Phys. 37, 652–665 (1965).
Omnes, R. Phys. Rep. 3 C, No. 1 (1972).
Fomin, P. I. Dok. Akad. Sci. Ukr. SSR, A 12, 831–834 (1975).
Cline, D., McIntyre, P. & Rubbis, C. Phys. Lett. 66 B, 429–431 (1977).
Sato, K. Prog. theor. Phys. 58, 385–386 (1977).
Zeldovich, Ya. B. & Novikov, I. D. Astr. Zh. 43, 758–765 (1966).
Hawking, S. W. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 152, 75–83 (1971).
Harrison, E. R. Phys. Rev. 167, 1170–1175 (1968).
Landau, L. D. & Lifshitz, E. M. Statistical Physics (Pergamon, New York, 1958).
Bugrij, A. I. & Trushevsky, A. A. Preprint ITP-78-82E, Kiev (1978).
Hawking, S. W. Commun. math. Phys. 43, 199–218 (1975).
Frolov, V. P. Usp. Fiz. Nauk 118, 473–504 (1976).
Frolov, V. P. in Einsteinovsky Zbornik 1975 (Nauka, Moscow, 1978).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Beletsky, Y., Bugrij, A., Martynov, E. et al. Where can antimatter be hidden in the Universe?. Nature 282, 194–195 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/282194a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/282194a0
This article is cited by
-
Dependence of the baryon asymmetry of the universe on the equation of state
Astrophysics (1986)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
