In theoretical physics, a bubble of nothing is a physical instability that is found in higher-dimensional spacetime models. It was first described by Edward Witten in 1982, as a consequence of the positive energy theorem.123 It represents a non-perturbative decay channel of Kaluza–Klein theory, in which spacetime can spontaneously collapse through the nucleation of a gravitational instanton.3 This bubble of nothing has no interior, not even spacetime.23
Bubbles of nothing are forbidden in models that include supersymmetry.3
It has been considered as an hypothetical end of the universe mechanism.4 As bubbles of nothing have not been observed, their absence can be used to put constraints on other theories.4
References
References
- Witten, Edward (1982-02-22). "Instability of the Kaluza-Klein vacuum". Nuclear Physics B. 195 (3): 481–492. doi:10.1016/0550-3213(82)90007-4. ISSN 0550-3213.
- Wood, Charlie (2022-08-09). "How the Physics of Nothing Underlies Everything". Quanta Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- Ong, Yen Chin (2015-11-27). Evolution of Black Holes in Anti-de Sitter Spacetime and the Firewall Controversy. Springer. ISBN 978-3-662-48270-4.
- Minsky, Carly (2020-03-05). "Physicists Are Studying Mysterious 'Bubbles of Nothing' That Eat Spacetime". VICE. Retrieved 2025-08-18.