Λ and the Heisenberg Principle

Abstract

A time dependent “cosmological constant” Λ(t) is conjectured, in terms of the Gaussian curvature of the causal horizon. It is nonvanishing even in Minkowski space because of the lack of informations beyond the light cone. Using the Heisenberg Principle, the corresponding energy of the quantum fluctuations localized on the past or future null horizons is proportional to Λ1/2. We compute Λ(t) for the (Lorenzian version) of the (conformally flat) Hawking wormhole geometry (written in static spherical Rindler coordinates) and for the de Sitter spacetime. A possible explanation of the Hawking temperature is proposed, in terms of a constant Λ.