Paper detail

Scaling Relations in the Network of Voids: Implications for Local Universe Dynamics and Inferring the Metric of Space

The large-scale distribution of matter in the universe forms a network of clusters, filaments and walls enclosing large empty voids. Voids in turn can be described as a cellular system in which voids/cells define dynamically distinct regions. Cellular systems arising from a variety of physical and biological processes have been observed to closely follow scaling laws relating their geometry, topology and dynamics. These scaling laws have never been studied for cosmological voids, the largest known cellular system. Using a cosmological N-body simulation we present a study of the scaling relations of the network of voids, extending their validity by over 30 orders of magnitude in scale with respect to other known cellular systems. Scaling relations allow us to make indirect measurements of the dynamical state of voids from their geometry and topology. Using our results we interpret the "local velocity anomaly" observed in the Leo Spur as the result of a collapsing void in our cosmic backyard. Moreover, the geometry and connectivity of voids directly depends on the curvature of space. Here we propose scaling relations as an independent and novel measure of the metric of space and discuss their use in future galaxy surveys.