Self-tuning vacuum variable and cosmological constant
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
2008-11-26 v6 High Energy Physics - Theory
Abstract
A spacetime-independent variable is introduced which characterizes a Lorentz-invariant self-sustained quantum vacuum. For a perfect (Lorentz-invariant) quantum vacuum, the self-tuning of this variable nullifies the effective energy density which enters the low-energy gravitational field equations. The observed small but nonzero value of the cosmological constant may then be explained as corresponding to the effective energy density of an imperfect quantum vacuum (perturbed by, e.g., the presence of thermal matter).
Cite
@article{arxiv.0711.3170,
title = {Self-tuning vacuum variable and cosmological constant},
author = {F. R. Klinkhamer and G. E. Volovik},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0711.3170},
year = {2008}
}
Comments
28 pages with revtex4; v6: preprint version of published paper with detailed references