Emergence of cosmic space and the maximization of horizon entropy

Abstract

The spatial expansion of the universe can be described as the emergence of space with the progress of cosmic time, through a simple equation, ΔV=ΔtNsurf−Nbulk. This law of emergence suggested by Padmanabhan in the context of general relativity for a flat universe has been generalized by Sheykhi to Gauss Bonnet and Lovelock gravity for a universe with any spatial curvature. We investigate whether this generalized holographic equipartition effectively implies the maximization of horizon entropy. First, we obtain the constraints imposed by the maximization of horizon entropy in Einstein, Gauss Bonnet and Lovelock gravities for a universe with any spatial curvature. We then analyze the consistency of the law of emergence in Ahmad Sheykhi (2013), with these constraints obtained. Interestingly, both the law of emergence and the horizon entropy maximization demands an asymptotically de Sitter universe with ω≥−1. More specifically, when the degrees of freedom in the bulk (Nbulk) becomes equal to the degrees of freedom on the boundary surface (Nsurf), the universe attains a state of maximum horizon entropy. Thus, the law of emergence can be viewed as a tendency for maximizing the horizon entropy, even in a non flat universe. Our results points at the deep connection between the law of emergence and horizon thermodynamics, beyond Einstein gravity irrespective of the spatial curvature.