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Abstract: We perform the first three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of cosmological first-order phase transitions in an expanding background. These simulations consistently incorporate the effects of the evolving phase transition strength throughout the full nucleation process of slow phase transitions. We find that, in addition to reducing mean bubble separations via an effectively enhanced nucleation rate, cosmic expansion unexpectedly induces highly nonlinear growth in the gravitational wave energy fraction, ultimately leading to a significant O(10) to O(100) amplification of the gravitational wave spectra. This amplification is more pronounced for initially weak transitions than for those of initially intermediate strength. Our results highlight the challenge and importance of accurately modelling slow phase transitions while accounting for cosmic expansion.
Biography: Xiao Wang received his PhD from the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. After completing his doctorate in 2021, he joined Sun Yat‑sen University as a postdoctoral research fellow until 2023. He is now a research fellow in the School of Physics and Astronomy at Monash University. His research focuses on the dynamics of cosmological first‑order phase transitions, including bubble‑wall propagation and hydrodynamics triggered by expanding bubbles, and their associated gravitational‑wave signatures. In particular, he is currently working on precise modelling of thermal phase‑transition hydrodynamics and the gravitational waves produced by the resulting fluid evolution.
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