scholarly journals WHY THERE IS SOMETHING SO CLOSE TO NOTHING: TOWARDS A FUNDAMENTAL THEORY OF THE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1797-1818 ◽  
Author(s):  
VISHNU JEJJALA ◽  
DJORDJE MINIC
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
String Theory ◽  
Cosmological Constant ◽  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Uncertainty Relation ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Minkowski Space Time ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Canonical Quantum

The cosmological constant problem is turned around to argue for a new foundational physics postulate underlying a consistent quantum theory of gravity and matter, such as string theory. This postulate is a quantum equivalence principle which demands a consistent gauging of the geometric structure of canonical quantum theory. We argue that string theory can be formulated to accommodate such a principle, and that in such a theory the observed cosmological constant is a fluctuation about a zero value. This fluctuation arises from an uncertainty relation involving the cosmological constant and the effective volume of space–time. The measured, small vacuum energy is dynamically tied to the large "size" of the universe, thus violating naive decoupling between small and large scales. The numerical value is related to the scale of cosmological supersymmetry breaking, supersymmetry being needed for a nonperturbative stability of local Minkowski space–time regions in the classical regime.

scholarly journals CLOSING THE UNIVERSE BY RELAXING THE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT

1994 ◽  
Vol 09 (30) ◽  
pp. 2755-2760 ◽  
Author(s):  
JORGE L. LOPEZ ◽  
D. V. NANOPOULOS
Keyword(s):  
Higgs Boson ◽  
String Theory ◽  
Cosmological Constant ◽  
Parameter Space ◽  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Negative Contribution ◽  
Cosmological Observations ◽  
The Universe

We consider a string-inspired no-scale SU (5) × U (1) supergravity model. In this model there is a negative contribution to the vacuum energy, which may be suitably canceled by a positive contribution typically present in string theory. One may then end up with a vacuum energy which brings many cosmological observations into better agreement with theoretical expectations, and a fixed value for the present abundance of neutralinos. We delineate the regions of parameter space allowed in this scenario, and study the ensuing predictions for the sparticle and Higgs-boson masses in this model.

scholarly journals On the Minimal Length Uncertainty Relation and the Foundations of String Theory

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lay Nam Chang ◽  
Zachary Lewis ◽  
Djordje Minic ◽  
Tatsu Takeuchi
Keyword(s):  
General Relativity ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
String Theory ◽  
Momentum Space ◽  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Uncertainty Relation ◽  
Minimal Length

We review our work on the minimal length uncertainty relation as suggested by perturbative string theory. We discuss simple phenomenological implications of the minimal length uncertainty relation and then argue that the combination of the principles of quantum theory and general relativity allow for a dynamical energy-momentum space. We discuss the implication of this for the problem of vacuum energy and the foundations of nonperturbative string theory.

Topology knots and hierarchy problem

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitaly Kuyukov
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
String Theory ◽  
Quantum Gravity ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Elementary Particles ◽  
Hierarchy Problem ◽  
Topological Quantum ◽  
Dimensional Space Time ◽  
New Formula

Many approaches to quantum gravity consider the revision of the space-time geometry and the structure of elementary particles. One of the main candidates is string theory. It is possible that this theory will be able to describe the problem of hierarchy, provided that there is an appropriate Calabi-Yau geometry. In this paper we will proceed from the traditional view on the structure of elementary particles in the usual four-dimensional space-time. The only condition is that quarks and leptons should have a common emerging structure. When a new formula for the mass of the hierarchy is obtained, this structure arises from topological quantum theory and a suitable choice of dimensional units.

scholarly journals The nature of the gravitational vacuum

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (14) ◽  
pp. 1944005
Author(s):  
Samir D. Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
String Theory ◽  
Cosmological Constant ◽  
Mass Formula ◽  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Planck Scale ◽  
Cosmological Constant Problem ◽  
Horizon Radius ◽  
Number Formula ◽  
Gravitational Vacuum

The vacuum must contain virtual fluctuations of black hole microstates for each mass [Formula: see text]. We observe that the expected suppression for [Formula: see text] is counteracted by the large number [Formula: see text] of such states. From string theory, we learn that these microstates are extended objects that are resistant to compression. We argue that recognizing this ‘virtual extended compression-resistant’ component of the gravitational vacuum is crucial for understanding gravitational physics. Remarkably, such virtual excitations have no significant effect for observable systems like stars, but they resolve two important problems: (a) gravitational collapse is halted outside the horizon radius, removing the information paradox, (b) spacetime acquires a ‘stiffness’ against the curving effects of vacuum energy; this ameliorates the cosmological constant problem posed by the existence of a planck scale [Formula: see text].

scholarly journals Gravitational Theory Without the Cosmological Constant Problem

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (32) ◽  
pp. 2421-2424 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. I. Guendelman ◽  
A. B. Kaganovich
Keyword(s):  
Cosmological Constant ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Realistic Model ◽  
Gravitational Theory ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Higher Dimensional Space Time ◽  
Higher Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Space Time

We develop a gravitational theory where the measure of integration in the action principle is not necessarily [Formula: see text] but it is determined dynamically through additional degrees of freedom. This theory is based on the demand that such measure respects the principle of "non-gravitating vacuum energy" which states that the Lagrangian density L can be changed to L + const. without affecting the dynamics. Formulating the theory in the first-order formalism we get as a consequence of the variational principle a constraint that enforces the vanishing of the cosmological constant. The most realistic model that implements these ideas is realized in a six or higher dimensional space–time. The compactification of extra dimensions into a sphere gives the possibility of generating scalar masses and potentials, gauge fields and fermionic masses. It turns out that the remaining four-dimensional space–time must have effective zero cosmological constant.

scholarly journals Space-time from Collapse of the Wave-function

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tejinder P. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Hilbert Space ◽  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Minkowski Space ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Quantum Interference ◽  
Quantum Dynamics ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Minkowski Space Time ◽  
Macroscopic Objects

AbstractWe propose that space-time results from collapse of the wave function of macroscopic objects, in quantum dynamics. We first argue that there ought to exist a formulation of quantum theory which does not refer to classical time. We then propose such a formulation by invoking an operator Minkowski space-time on the Hilbert space. We suggest relativistic spontaneous localisation as the mechanism for recovering classical space-time from the underlying theory. Quantum interference in time could be one possible signature for operator time, and in fact may have been already observed in the laboratory, on attosecond time scales. A possible prediction of our work seems to be that interference in time will not be seen for ‘time slit’ separations significantly larger than 100 attosecond, if the ideas of operator time and relativistic spontaneous localisation are correct.

scholarly journals The Quantum Cosmological Constant

Symmetry ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephon Alexander ◽  
Joao Magueijo ◽  
Lee Smolin
Keyword(s):  
General Relativity ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Quantum Gravity ◽  
Cosmological Constant ◽  
Uncertainty Relation ◽  
Time Variable ◽  
Transition Functions ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
Chern Simons

We present an extension of general relativity in which the cosmological constant becomes dynamical and turns out to be conjugate to the Chern–Simons invariant of the Ashtekar connection on a spatial slicing. The latter has been proposed Soo and Smolin as a time variable for quantum gravity: the Chern–Simons time. In the quantum theory, the inverse cosmological constant and Chern–Simons time will then become conjugate operators. The “Kodama state” gets a new interpretation as a family of transition functions. These results imply an uncertainty relation between Λ and Chern–Simons time; the consequences of which will be discussed elsewhere.

BLACK HOLE QUANTIZATION, THERMODYNAMICS AND COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (05) ◽  
pp. 885-898
Author(s):  
LI XIANG
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Cosmological Constant ◽  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Planck Scale ◽  
Additional Term ◽  
Logarithmic Correction ◽  
De Sitter ◽  
Horizon Area ◽  
Constant Distance ◽  
The Universe

Bekenstein argues that the horizon area of a black hole has a constant distance spectrum. We investigate the effects of such a discrete spectrum on the thermodynamics of a Schwarzchild black hole (SBH) and a Schwarzchild–de Sitter black hole (SdBH), in terms of the time-energy uncertainty relation and Stefan–Boltzman law. For the massive SBH, a negative and logarithmic correction to the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy is obtained, as well as other authors by using other methods. As to the minimal hole near the Planck scale, its entropy is no longer proportional to the horizon area, but is of order of the mass of the hole. This is similar to an excited stringy state. The vanishing heat capacity of such a minimal black hole implies that it may be a remnant as the ground state of the evaporating hole. The properties of a SdBH are similar to the SBH, except for an additional term of square area associated with the cosmological constant. In order to maintain the validity of the Bekenstein–Hawking formula, the cosmological constant is strongly limited by the size of the biggest black hole in the universe. A relation associated with the cosmological constant, Planck area and the Stefan–Boltzman constant is obtained. The cosmological constant is not only related to the vacuum energy, but is also related to the thermodynamics.

On the Vanishing of the Cosmological Vacuum Energy

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 1127-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Pollock
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Schrödinger Equation ◽  
Ground State ◽  
Schrodinger Equation ◽  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Ground State Solution ◽  
Space Time ◽  
State Solution ◽  
Superstring Theory ◽  
The Universe

By demanding the existence of a globally invariant ground-state solution of the Wheeler–De Witt equation (Schrödinger equation) for the wave function of the Universe Ψ, obtained from the heterotic superstring theory, in the four-dimensional Friedmann space-time, we prove that the cosmological vacuum energy has to be zero.

scholarly journals ON THE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT PROBLEM

1996 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
DHURJATI PRASAD DATTA
Keyword(s):  
Cosmological Constant ◽  
Mechanical Model ◽  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Quantum Mechanical ◽  
Cosmological Constant Problem ◽  
Molecular Physics ◽  
Simple Quantum ◽  
Time Formalism ◽  
Oppenheimer Approximation ◽  
The Universe

A simple quantum mechanical model of a closed interacting system is studied following the intrinsic time formalism developed recently, on the basis of the modified Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Apart from shedding further insights into the recent results on a possible nongravitating vacuum energy in the universe, the study also offers potentially interesting possibilities even in atomic/molecular physics.

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