Where:
f(DH)>1f(D_H) > 1 accelerates collapse in high-density, multi-layer intersections,
Collapse timescales tcollapseH1(r)t_{\text{collapse}} \sim H^{-1}(r) are shorter in regions of layer overlap,
This leads to early halo virialization and starburst events before z12z \sim 12.
3. Predictions for Galaxy Abundance and Morphology
The model predicts:
A flattened faint-end slope 1.5\alpha \sim -1.5 but excess at the bright end of the UV luminosity function (UVLF) for z10z \gtrsim 10,
Compact spheroidal morphologies forming at the intersection of curvature layers (layer "nodes"),
Clustering of massive galaxies in fractal-enhanced collapse zones rather than uniformly distributed filaments.
Moreover:
The stellar-to-halo mass ratio (SHMR) is higher than expected due to efficient early star formation,
Galaxies show lower scatter in age at fixed mass --- a fingerprint of layer-synchronized collapse.
4. JWST Detection Pathways
JWST's NIRCam, MIRI, and NIRSpec instruments enable:
Deep field observations capable of resolving rest-frame UV and optical morphologies at z>10z > 10,
Spectroscopic redshift confirmation via [O III], H, and Balmer breaks,
Stellar mass estimates from SED fitting with dense temporal coverage.
Specific observables:
Excess counts in the number of galaxies with M>109MM_* > 10^9 M_\odot at z=10--13z = 10\text{--}13,
Anomalously steep redshift evolution in the galaxy stellar mass function (GSMF),
Spatial clustering of early galaxies indicating non-Gaussian initial conditions.
5. Falsifiability Criteria
If the fractal-layer model is correct, JWST should observe:
Failure to detect overmassive galaxies in nested configurations, or lack of alignment with curvature node predictions, would falsify key aspects of the model.
6. Broader Implications
