We show that a particular class of postrecombination phase transitions in the
vacuum can lead to localized overdense regions on relatively small scales,
roughly 10^6 to 10^10 M_sun, potentially interesting for the origin of large
black hole seeds and for dwarf galaxy evolution. Our study suggests that this
mechanism could operate over a range of conditions which are consistent with
current cosmological and laboratory bounds. One byproduct of phase transition
bubble-wall decay may be extra radiation energy density. This could provide an
avenue for constraint, but it could also help reconcile the discordant values
of the present Hubble parameter (H_0) and sigma_8 obtained by cosmic microwave
background (CMB) fits and direct observational estimates. We also suggest ways
in which future probes, including CMB considerations (e.g., early dark energy
limits), 21-cm observations, and gravitational radiation limits, could provide
more stringent constraints on this mechanism and the sub-eV scale
beyond-standard-model physics, perhaps in the neutrino sector, on which it
could be based. Late phase transitions associated with sterile neutrino mass
and mixing may provide a way to reconcile cosmological limits and laboratory
data, should a future disagreement arise.Comment: 17 pages, 18 figures. v2: includes additional references and minor
corrections/clarifications. v3: includes additional text, figures, and
references (matches published version
