De Sitter Space: Quantum Mechanics Gets More Elusive in Expanding Universe

Physicists are learning from black holes to understand quantum mechanics in expanding (de Sitter) space — the geometry that best describes our real universe. In static or collapsing space, quantum theory works fine. In expanding space pushed by dark energy, physicists face one paradox after another. The basic shape of our universe is the hardest to understand. New research explores how black hole physics might provide answers.