About 13.8 billion years ago, the Big Bang theory suggests that the universe went through a rapid period of expansion called inflation. This period of rapid expansion was caused by high-energy matter reversing gravity, quickly inflating the fabric of the universe. Mathematicians are now exploring what may have occurred prior to inflation, seeking to understand if there was a singularity or if the laws of gravity broke down. The recent work by researchers Ghazal Geshnizjani, Eric Ling, and Jerome Quintin suggests that there may be a way to see beyond the universe’s boundaries, potentially revealing a more complete understanding of the laws of physics.
https://www.quantamagazine.org/mathematicians-attempt-to-glimpse-past-the-big-bang-20240531/