A recent study published in Nuclear Physics B examines how hidden dimensions might influence the physical reality that we observe. Led by physicist Richard Pincak at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the researchers propose that these unseen dimensions change over time, eventually forming stable geometric patterns that behave like particles and fields within the four dimensions of spacetime.
In modern physics, spacetime is defined as a four-dimensional continuum that unifies the three dimensions of space and the one dimension of time. Physicists have long believed this concept directly influences what humans perceive as the physical universe. Now, this new theory proposes that spacetime itself may play a much larger role than previously thought.
Twist in the Geometry
The concept of hidden extra dimensions has appeared in many theoretical physics ideas, such as string theory. Physicists use seven-dimensional shapes known as G₂ manifolds to model these invisible dimensions. In earlier theoretical work, physicists typically treated these extra-dimensional spaces as fixed and unchanging. However, Pincak’s team allowed the internal shape of these dimensions to gradually change over time using a mathematical process called G₂–Ricci flow.
“When we let them evolve in time, we find that they can settle into stable configurations called solitons,” Pincak said. “These solitons could provide a purely geometric explanation of phenomena such as spontaneous symmetry breaking.”
The phenomenon of symmetry breaking explains why some particles have different properties from others. In the standard model of particle physics, an energy field known as the Higgs field controls this process. This new idea from Pincak’s team does not contradict the existence of the Higgs field. Instead, it explores whether similar effects could come from the geometrical properties of space itself.
“As in organic systems, such as the twisting of DNA or the handedness of amino acids, these extra-dimensional structures can possess torsion, a kind of intrinsic twist,” explains Pincak. “In our picture, matter emerges from the resistance of geometry itself, not from an external field.”
Pincak’s team found that as the geometry of these hidden dimensions stabilized, a property known as torsion may play a role in the emergence of mass. This means that mass could be created from the way spacetime reacts to its own internal structure, rather than depending on a separate field. The Higgs field still operates as expected, but this model shows that it could be based on a deeper geometric process.
Connections to Cosmic Expansion
The theory also connects the concept of geometric torsion to the overall structure of spacetime. The team discovered that torsion can alter the curvature of spacetime, potentially increasing the rate of cosmic expansion. This means that the same geometric features shaping particles could also affect how the universe evolves.
The authors also suggest that a new particle linked to torsion may exist, which they call the ‘Torstone.’ However, the study does not predict how this could be identified, and the idea remains highly speculative.
A Larger Question About Geometry
Einstein showed that gravity itself comes from the geometry of spacetime. Pincak and his team seek to determine if this idea extends even further.
“Nature often prefers simple solutions,” Pincak said. “Perhaps the masses of the W and Z bosons come not from the famous Higgs field, but directly from the geometry of seven-dimensional space.”
This proposal is still theoretical and does not replace the standard model of particle physics. It does not offer an immediate experimental test or solve major problems in the field of particle physics. Instead, it offers a new perspective on where mass, along with symmetry-breaking, could originate.
Austin Burgess is a writer and researcher with a background in sales, marketing, and data analytics. He holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a Data Analytics certification. His work combines analytical training with a focus on emerging science, aerospace, and astronomical research.