Related papers: Self-gravitating $\Lambda$-media
We investigate the dynamics of homogeneous gravitational collapse of a massless vector field in the presence of a positive cosmological constant $\Lambda$. The corresponding density function $\rho (a)$ obtained for the massless vector field…
We apply a new self-tuning mechanism to the well-known Kachru-Kallosh-Linde-Trivedi (KKLT) model to address the cosmological constant problem. In this mechanism the cosmological constant $\lambda$ contains a supersymmetry breaking term…
String theory has no parameter except the string scale, so a dynamically compactified solution to 4 dimensional spacetime should determine both the Planck scale and the cosmological constant $\Lambda$. In the racetrack K\"ahler uplift flux…
The Standard Cosmological Model of the 1980's is no more. I describe the definitive evidence that the density of matter is insufficient to result in a flat universe, as well as the mounting evidence that the cosmological constant is not…
We examine the possibility that a significant component of the energy density of the universe has an equation-of-state different from that of matter, radiation or cosmological constant ($\Lambda$). An example is a cosmic scalar field…
We have studied the closed universe model with the variable cosmological term, which is presented as a sum of two terms: Lambda=Lambda_0 -k R. First term Lambda_0 is a constant and it is describing a sum of quantum field's zero…
For higher-derivative f(R) gravity where R is the Ricci scalar, a class of models is proposed which produce viable cosmology different from the LambdaCDM one at recent times and satisfy cosmological, Solar system and laboratory tests. These…
The nature of the cosmological constant is a mystery. We don't understand its quantum origin but we associate it with the actual acceleration of the universe because it is the simplest description we had until recently of the present…
We present limits on the cosmological constant from the statistics of gravitational lenses using newly completed quasar surveys, new lens data, and a range of lens models. The formal limit is $\lambda_0 < 0.66$ at 95\% confidence in flat…
A short pedagogical note about the consequences of a nonzero cosmological constant in physical cosmology.
As an alternative to dark energy it has been suggested that we may be at the center of an inhomogeneous isotropic universe described by a Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) solution of Einstein's field equations. In order to test such an…
The linear cosmological perturbation theory of an almost homogeneous and isotropic perfect fluid universe is reconsidered and formally simplified by introducing new covariant and gauge-invariant variables with physical interpretations on…
In theories in which the cosmological constant Lambda takes a variety of values in different ``subuniverses,'' the probability distribution of its observed values is conditioned by the requirement that there must be someone to measure it.…
We regard the cosmological fluid within an exponentially expanding FLRW spacetime as the probability fluid of a nonrelativistic Schroedinger field. The scalar Schroedinger particle so described has a mass equal to the total (baryonic plus…
We argue that standard tools of holography can be used to describe fully non-perturbative microscopic models of cosmology in which a period of accelerated expansion may result from the positive potential energy of time-dependent scalar…
General Relativity allows for a cosmological constant ($\Lambda$) which has inspired models of cosmic Inflation and Dark Energy. We show instead that $r_\Lambda = \sqrt{3/\Lambda}$ corresponds to an event horizon: a causal boundary term in…
Several authors have argued that self-consistent $f(R)$ gravity models distinct from $\Lambda $CDM are almost ruled out. Confronting such claims, we present a particular two-parameter $f(R)$ model that: (a) is cosmologically viable and…
There is increasing evidence that the universe may have a small cosmological constant. We suggest a scheme for naturally generating a small cosmological constant. Our idea requires the presence of a discrete accidental symmetry which is…
We propose a new approach to the Cosmological Constant Problem which makes essential use of an extra dimension. A model is presented in which the Standard Model vacuum energy ``warps'' the higher-dimensional spacetime while preserving 4D…
The (re)introduction of $\Lambda$ into cosmology has spurred debates that touch on central questions in philosophy of science, as well as the foundations of general relativity and particle physics. We provide a systematic assessment of the…