Development of Fractal Geometry in a 1+1 Dimensional Universe

Abstract

Observations of galaxies over large distances reveal the possibility of a fractal distribution of their positions. The source of fractal behavior is the lack of a length scale in the two body gravitational interaction. However, even with new, larger, sample sizes from recent surveys, it is difficult to extract information concerning fractal properties with confidence. Similarly, simulations with a billion particles only provide a thousand particles per dimension, far too small for accurate conclusions. With one dimensional models these limitations can be overcome by carrying out simulations with on the order of a quarter of a million particles without compromising the computation of the gravitational force. Here the multifractal properties of a group of these models that incorporate different features of the dynamical equations governing the evolution of a matter dominated universe are compared. The results share important similarities with galaxy observations, such as hierarchical clustering and apparent bifractal geometry. They also provide insights concerning possible constraints on length and time scales for fractal structure. They clearly demonstrate that fractal geometry evolves in the $μ$ (position, velocity) space. The observed properties are simply a shadow (projection) of higher dimensional structure.