Is a topology change after a Big Rip possible?

Abstract

Motivated by condensed matter physical systems, in which a finite-time singularity indicates that the topology of the system changes, we critically examine the possibility of the Universe’s topology change at a finite-time cosmological singularity. We emphasize on Big Rip and Type II and IV cosmological singularities, which we classify to future spacelike and timelike singularities. For the Type IV and Type II singularities, since no geodesics incompleteness occurs, no topological change is allowed, by using Geroch’s theorem arguments. However, for the Big Rip case, Tipler’s arguments allow a topology change, if the spacetime in which the topology change occurs is non-compact and the boundary of this region are two topologically distinct three-dimensional spacelike partial Cauchy hypersurfaces. Also, some additional requirements must hold true, among which the weak energy condition, which can be satisfied in a geometric way in the context of a modified gravity. We critically examine Tipler’s arguments for the Big Rip case, and we discuss the mathematical implications of such a topological change, with regard to the final hypersurface on which geodesics incompleteness occurs.