The universe as an elastic solid

Simple Waves

Simple Waves

Let’s look at few simple waves first: just compression and just translational (twist):

Only compression (longitudinal)
Only twist (transverse)

Next, let’s combine the two: this wave has both a compression and a twist component (note this is not spin, just a simple oscillating wave).

Twist and Compression (2 planes shown)

Field Visualization

Below is a short demonstration of the (deformation) field. You can view this as a piece of rubber or any other “elastic” deformable solid.

Zooming into a deformation field, which is showing spin 1/2