Is the matter-antimatter annihilation observable in priciple

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the observability of matter-antimatter annihilation events in the early universe, particularly after the end of Inflation. It is established that the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) represents the remnant energy from these annihilation reactions. Additionally, primordial gravitational waves and the cosmic neutrino background are identified as significant phenomena that formed during this epoch, with the latter occurring after most antibaryons were annihilated but before positron annihilation. The potential for detecting remnants of this immense energy burst remains a topic of inquiry.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)
  • Knowledge of gravitational waves and their measurement techniques
  • Familiarity with particle physics concepts, particularly baryons and antibaryons
  • Awareness of cosmic neutrino background and its significance
NEXT STEPS
  • Research techniques for measuring gravitational waves, such as LIGO and Virgo observatories
  • Explore the implications of the Cosmic Microwave Background in cosmology
  • Study the formation and properties of the cosmic neutrino background
  • Investigate the role of matter-antimatter asymmetry in the evolution of the universe
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, and cosmologists interested in the early universe, the nature of cosmic events, and the implications of matter-antimatter interactions.

Gerinski
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The youngest epoch of the universe we can observe so far is the CMB. It is theorized that systematic and accurate measurement of gravitational waves could allow us to "see" events from even earlier cosmic epochs. If we go to even earlier cosmic epochs we have what must have been a very singular cosmic event, the huge annihilation of matter and antimatter which happened after the end of Inflation and which presumably left over a "small" excess of matter which went on to form our familiar matter universe.

My question is, such a cosmic scale matter-antimatter annihilation must have had produced a truly immense amount of energy. I don't really know which kind of energy and which properties, I assume it must have been electromagnetic radiation of huge intensity. Is it conceivable that we will ever be able to detect any remnants of that immense energy burst in the very early universe, and if so which form would it have, gravitational waves or any other form? Would that immensely energetic event have left any observable clues in our currently observable universe?

Thanks!
 
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The CMB is the remnant of the energy released in the annihilation reactions.

Primordial gravitational waves are created earlier.

The cosmic neutrino background is somewhere in between, it formed after most antibaryons were annihilated, but before the positrons were annihilated.
 

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