Related papers: Quantum cosmology and the value of $\Lambda$
We explore commutativity up to a factor, $AB=\lambda BA$, for bounded operators in a complex Hilbert space. Conditions on the possible values of the factor $\lambda$ are formulated and shown to depend on spectral properties of the operators…
We derive new limits on the value of the cosmological constant, $\Lambda$, based on the Einstein bending of light by systems where the lens is a distant galaxy or a cluster of galaxies. We use an amended lens equation in which the…
A Universe with finite age also has a finite causal scale $\chi_\S$, so the metric can not be homogeneous for $\chi>\chi_\S$, as it is usually assumed. To account for this, we propose a new causal boundary condition, that can be fulfil by…
Independent tests aiming to constrain the value of the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ are usually difficult because of its extreme smallness $\left(\Lambda \simeq 1\times 10^{-52}~\textrm{m}^{-2},~\textrm{or}~2.89\times…
We propose that whatever quantity controls the Heisenberg uncertainty relations (for a given complementary pair of observables) it should be identified with an effective Planck parameter. With this definition it is not difficult to find…
I present several simple figures to illustrate cosmology and structure formation in a nutshell. Then I discuss the following argument: if we assume that Omega_{Lambda} = 0 then the CMB results favor high Omega_{m} while the supernova…
We propose a new cosmological model with a time-dependent cosmological constant ($\Lambda\propto 1/t^2$), which starting at the Planck time as $\Lambda_{Pl}\sim M^2_{Pl}$, evolves to the present-day allowed value of…
The dynamical effect of the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ on a single spherical void evolving in a the universe is investigated within a non linear perturbation of Newton-Friedmann models. The void expands with a huge initial burst which…
The observed value $\Lambda_{\rm obs}$ of the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ is extremely smaller than theoretical expectations, and the anthropic argument has been proposed as a solution to this problem because galaxies do not form when…
One of the main interest in quantum cosmology is to determine boundary conditions for the wave function of the universe which can predict observational data of our universe. For this purpose, we solve the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for a…
After a short history of the $\Lambda$-term it is explained why the (effective) cosmological constant is expected to obtain contributions from short-distance physics, corresponding to an energy at least as large as the Fermi scale. The…
The case for a flat Cold Dark Matter model with a positive cosmological constant $\Lambda$ has been recently strongly advocated by some theoreticians. In this paper we give the observers point of view to the light of the most recent…
We explore regions of parameter space in a simple exponential model of the form $V = V_0 e^{- \lambda \frac{Q}{M_p}}$ that are allowed by observational constraints. We find that the level of fine tuning in these models is not different from…
A particular kind of quintessence is considered, with equation of motion $p_Q/\rho_Q = -1$, corresponding to a cosmological term with time-dependence $\Lambda(t) = \Lambda(t_0) (R(t_0)/R(t))^{P}$ and we examine how values of $\Omega_m$ and…
I try to revive, and possibly reconcile, a debate started a few years ago, about the relative roles of a bare cosmological constant and of a vacuum energy, by taking the attitude to try to get the most from the physics now available as…
The cosmological constant problem is examined under the assumption that the extrinsic curvature of the space-time contributes to the vacuum. A compensation mechanism based on a variable cosmological term is proposed. Under a suitable…
Entropy bounds render quantum corrections to the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ finite. Under certain assumptions, the natural value of $\Lambda$ is of order the observed dark energy density $\sim 10^{-10} {\rm eV}^4$, thereby resolving…
The standard $\Lambda$ Cold Dark Matter cosmological model provides an amazing description of a wide range of astrophysical and astronomical data. However, there are a few big open questions, that make the standard model look like a…
A particular kind of quintessence is considered, with equation of motion $p_Q/\rho_Q = -1$, corresponding to a cosmological term with time-dependence $\Lambda(t) = \Lambda(t_0) (R(t_0)/R(t))^{P}$ which we examine initially for $0 \leq P <…
Cosmological models in Lyra's geometry are constructed and investigated with the assumption of a minimal interaction of matter with the displacement vector field and the dynamical $\Lambda$ - term. Exact solutions of the model equations are…