Abstract
It has long been known that the covariant formulation of quantum electrodynamics conflicts with the local description of states in the charged sector. Some of the solutions to this problem amount to modifications of the subsidiary conditions below some arbitrarily low photon frequency. Such infrared modified theories have been shown to be equivalent to standard Maxwell electrodynamics with an additional classical electromagnetic current induced by the quantum charges. The induced current only has support for very small frequencies and cancels the effects of the physical charges on large scales. In this work we explore the possibility that this de-electrification effect could allow for the existence of isotropic charged cosmologies, thus evading the stringent limits on the electric charge asymmetry of the universe. We consider a simple model of infrared-modified scalar electrodynamics in the cosmological context and find that the charged sector generates a new contribution to the energy-momentum tensor whose dominant contribution at late times is a cosmological constant-like term. If the charge asymmetry was generated during inflation, the limits on the asymmetry parameter in order not to produce a too-large cosmological constant are very stringent $\eta_Q <10^{-131}- 10^{-144}$ for a number of e-folds $N=50-60$ in typical models. However if the charge imbalance is produced after inflation, the limits are relaxed in such a way that $\eta_Q<10^{-43}(100 \,\mbox{GeV}/T_Q)$, with $T_Q$ the temperature at which the asymmetry was generated. If the charge asymmetry has ever existed and the associated electromagnetic fields vanish in the asymptotic future, the limit can be further reduced to $\eta_Q<10^{-28}$.
Highlights
One of the long-standing questions in cosmology, dating back to the works of Bondi and Lyttleton in the late 1950s [1], is the possibility that the Universe could have a net electric charge density
We explore the possibility that this deelectrification effect could allow for the existence of isotropic charged cosmologies, evading the stringent limits on the electric charge asymmetry of the Universe
We have explored the possibility of constructing homogeneous and isotropic cosmologies with a nonvanishing charge density in the context of modified Maxwell electrodynamics
Summary
One of the long-standing questions in cosmology, dating back to the works of Bondi and Lyttleton in the late 1950s [1], is the possibility that the Universe could have a net electric charge density. This current has only support in the infrared, i.e., below the cutoff frequency, and cancels the effects of the quantum charges on very large scales This property suggests that the cosmology of charged universes could exhibit important differences in this kind of modified electrodynamics, and in particular, this opens up the possibility of having isotropic charged solutions without including additional polarizations for the photon field. We will find that the use of the modified formalism generates new terms in the electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor which are not present in standard QED and of which the dominant contribution at late times is a cosmological constant term By imposing such terms to be compatible with current observations, we will set upper limits on the charge asymmetry of the Universe in this scenario.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
