Vacuum Energy Research Articles

Stringy running vacuum model and current tensions in cosmology

We discuss the potential alleviation of both the Hubble and the growth of galactic structure data tensions observed in the current epoch of cosmology in the context of the so-called stringy running vacuum model (RVM) of cosmology. This is a gravitational field theory coupled to matter, which, at early eras, contains gravitational (Chern–Simons (CS) type) anomalies and torsion, arising from the fundamental degrees of freedom of the massless gravitational multiplet of an underlying microscopic string theory. The model leads to RVM type inflation without external inflatons, arising from the quartic powers of the Hubble parameter that characterize the vacuum energy density due to primordial-gravitational-wave-induced anomaly CS condensates, and dominate the inflationary era. In modern eras, of relevance to this work, the gravitational anomalies are cancelled by chiral matter, generated at the end of the RVM inflationary era, but cosmic radiation and other matter fields are still responsible for a RVM energy density with terms exhibiting a quadratic-power-of-Hubble-parameter dependence, but also products of the latter with logarithmic H-dependencies, arising from potential quantum-gravity and quantum-matter loop effects. In this work, such terms are examined phenomenologically from the point of view of the potential alleviation of the aforementioned current tensions in cosmology. Using standard information criteria, we find that these tensions can be substantially alleviated in a way consistent not only with the data, but also with the underlying microscopic theory predictions, associated with the primordial dynamical breaking of supergravity that characterize a pre-RVM-inflationary phase of the model.

Number-Theory Renormalization of Vacuum Energy

Number-Theory Renormalization of Vacuum Energy

Deriving the cosmological constant from the Euler–Lagrange equation of second-order differentiable gravitational field Lagrangian

The principles underlying the variational approach prove to be invaluable tools in articulating physical phenomena, particularly when dealing with conserved quantities. The derivation of gravitational field equations from the Euler–Lagrange equation, a result of the first-order derivative of Lagrange field density, is a well-established concept. However, within the context of this paper, the field equations stem from the second-order differentiable field Lagrangian in the Euler–Lagrange equation. The Euler–Lagrange equation of the first-order differentiable field Lagrangian yields the gravitational field equations incorporating matter fields and the cosmological constant. On the other hand, the Euler–Lagrange equation of the second-order differentiable field Lagrangian gives rise to the equation governing the cosmological constant. The procedure of determining the cosmological constant through the Euler–Lagrange equation adheres to fundamental mathematical theory encompassing higher-order Euler–Lagrange equations. This theory implies that utilizing higher-order Euler–Lagrange equations may result in instability due to negative energy. The cosmological constant is postulated to be intertwined with negative vacuum energy density. The value assigned to the gravitational constant, as ascertained through the employment of the general relativistic equation, is not only significantly small and nonzero but also demonstrates remarkable compatibility with the value inferred from observational deductions.

Tadpole cosmology: Milne solution as a cosmological constant hideout

Dynamical cancellation frameworks present a potential means of mitigating the effect of a large vacuum energy, that would otherwise ruin the late-time, low energy dynamics of the Universe. Certain models in the literature, such as the Fab Four and Well Tempering, realize this idea by introducing some degeneracy in the dynamical equations. In this paper, we introduce a third potential route to self-tuning, and infer the existence of a new, exact Milne solution in the simplest tadpole plus cubic-Galileon scalar-tensor theory. We study the dynamics of the scalar field and metric in the vicinity of the Milne coordinate singularity, and find that the vacuum solution belongs to a more general family of Milne-like metrics. By numerically evolving the field equations for a range of initial conditions, we show that the Milne solution is not an attractor, and varying the initial scalar field data can lead to completely different asymptotic states; exponential growth of the scale factor, a static non-spatially flat metric or a severe finite-time instability in the scalar field and metric. We generalise the Milne solution to a class of FLRW spacetimes, finding that the tadpole-cubic Galileon model admits perfect-fluid-like solutions in the presence of matter. Finally, we present a second Horndeski model which also admits an exact Milne solution, hinting at the existence of a larger undiscovered model space containing vacuum-energy-screened solutions.

Estimated Age of the Universe in Fractional Cosmology

Our proposed cosmological framework, which is based on fractional quantum cosmology, aims to address the issue of synchronicity in the age of the universe. To achieve this, we have developed a new fractional ΛCDM cosmological model. We obtained the necessary formalism by obtaining the fractional Hamiltonian constraint in a general minisuperspace. This formalism has allowed us to derive the fractional Friedmann and Raychaudhuri equations for a homogeneous and isotropic cosmology. Unlike the traditional de Sitter phase, our model exhibits a power-law accelerated expansion in the late-time universe, when vacuum energy becomes dominant. By fitting the model’s parameters to cosmological observations, we determined that the fractional parameter of Lévy equals α=1.986. Additionally, we have calculated the age of the universe to be 13.8196 Gyr. Furthermore, we have found that the ratio of the age to Hubble time from the present epoch to the distant future is finite and confined within the interval 0.9858≤Ht<95.238.

New Physics, p-Adic Nature of the Vacuum Energy, and Cosmological Constant

New Physics, p-Adic Nature of the Vacuum Energy, and Cosmological Constant

Biofunctionalization of surfaces to minimize undesirable effects in cardiovascular assistance devices.

The reactivity of blood with non-endothelial surface is a challenge for long-term Ventricular Assist Devices development, usually made with pure titanium, which despite of being inert, low density and high mechanical resistance it does not avoid the thrombogenic responses. Here we tested a modification on the titanium surface with Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures followed by Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating in different thicknesses to customize the wettability profile by changing the surface energy of the titanium. Four different surfaces were proposed: (1) Pure Titanium as Reference Material (RM), (2) Textured as Test Sample (TS), (3) Textured with DLC 0.3μm as (TSA) and (4) Textured with 2.4μm DLC as (TSB). A single implant was positioned in the abdominal aorta of Wistar rats and the effects of hemodynamic interaction were evaluated without anticoagulant drugs. After twelve weeks, the implants were extracted and subjected to qualitative analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy under low vacuum and X-ray Energy Dispersion. The regions that remained in contact with the wall of the aorta showed encapsulation of the endothelial tissue. TSB implants, although superhydrophilic, have proven that the DLC coating inhibits the adhesion of biological material, prevents abrasive wear and delamination, as observed in the TS and TSA implants. Pseudo- neointimal layers were heterogeneously identified in higher concentration on Test Surfaces.

Adsorption equilibria and kinetics of CO2, CH4, CO, N2, O2, and H2 on silica-based adsorbents for H2 enhancement processes from steel off-gas for the direct reduced iron process

The direct reduced iron (DRI) process is highly advantageous for reducing carbon emissions in the steel mill industry. A well-designed adsorption technology can provide H2 mixtures from H2-containing off-gases for the DRI process and concentrate CO2 for a carbon capture process simultaneously. The adsorption behaviors of steel off-gas components, CO2, CH4, CO, N2, O2, and H2, were studied at 293, 308, and 323 K and at pressures of up to 1000 kPa on two different silica-based pellets. Their weak adsorption affinity and high CO2 selectivity enables relatively easy desorption without vacuum energy. The CO2 and CH4 isotherms were correlated with the dual-site Langmuir model, whereas the single-site Langmuir model adequately predicted the other isotherms. The order of adsorption capacities of both adsorbents was CO2≫CH4>CO>N2≈O2≫H2, and the heat of adsorption of CO2 was notably higher than those of the others. The silica gel with the higher Al content and lower surface area (SG1) showed slightly higher CO2 isotherms up to 100 kPa, whereas the other (SG2) exhibited a greater adsorption capacity at higher pressures. For the other adsorbates, higher isotherms were observed for SG2 at all pressures. In the adsorption kinetic analysis using a non-isothermal adsorption model, the diffusional time constants and kinetic parameters showed a consistent dependence on pressure and temperature. The adsorption rate followed the order of N2>CH4≥CO≫CO2. The isotherm and uptake curves for CO2 between the silica gel pellets and particles revealed that macropore diffusion affected the overall adsorption kinetics of CO2 owing to adsorption heat resistance.

No asymptotic acceleration without higher-dimensional de Sitter vacua

There has recently been considerable interest in the question whether and under which conditions accelerated cosmological expansion can arise in the asymptotic regions of field space of a d-dimensional EFT. We conjecture that such acceleration is impossible unless there exist metastable de Sitter vacua in more than d dimensions. That is, we conjecture that ‘Asymptotic Acceleration Implies de Sitter’ (AA⇒DS). Phrased negatively, we argue that the d-dimensional ‘No Asymptotic Acceleration’ conjecture (a.k.a. the ‘strong asymptotic dS conjecture’) follows from the de Sitter conjecture in more than d dimensions. The key idea is that the relevant field-space asymptotics almost always correspond to decompactification and that the only positive energy contribution which decays sufficiently slowly in this regime is the vacuum energy of a higher-dimensional metastable vacuum. This result is in agreement with recent Swampland bounds on the potential in the asymptotics in field space from e.g. the species bound, but is significantly more constraining. We further note that for our asymptotic decompactification limits based on higher-dimensional de Sitter, the Kaluza-Klein scale always falls below the Hubble scale asymptotically. In fact, this occurs whenever V′/V≤2d+k−2/kd−2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\left|{V}^{\\prime}\\right|/V\\le 2\\sqrt{\\left(d+k-2\\right)/k\\left(d-2\\right)} $$\\end{document} asymptotically, with k the number of decompactifying internal directions. This is steeper than what is needed for accelerated expansion.

An irradiation system for nuclear and materials research in a medical cyclotron

Development and commissioning of an irradiation system and experimental setup for nuclear research and materials analysis in a medical cyclotron facility is described. The setup, Low Energy in-Vacuum Irradiation System-LEVIS, is installed at the end of the existing R&D beamline. The components of LEVIS and their functions are explained and the characteristics such as energy, current and profile of the beam are measured. Different types of radiation detectors are installed and tested in the chamber for future applications of non-destructive analysis methods.

Applicability of the Klein-Gordon equationfor pair production in vacuum and plasma.

In this paper, a phase-space description of electron-positron pair creation will be applied, based on a Wigner transformation of the Klein-Gordon equation. The resulting theory is similar in many respects to the equationsfrom the Dirac-Heisenberg-Wigner formalism. However, in the former case, all physics related to particle spin is neglected. In the present paper we compare the pair-production rate in vacuum and plasmas, with and without spin effects, in order to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of the spinless approximation. It is found that for modest frequencies of the electromagnetic field the pair production rate of the Klein-Gordon theory is a good approximation to the Dirac theory, provided the matter density is small enough for Pauli blocking to be neglected, and a factor of 2 related to the difference in the vacuum energy density is compensated for.

Deconfinement transition in the revolving bag model

Based on the bag model, we revisit the deconfinement phase transition under rotation. On top of the usual rotational energy for noninteracting particles, we perturbatively analyze the revolution effect of the hadron bag, i.e., of the potential confining quarks. The revolution effect can be phenomenologically translated into the rotational correction to the QCD vacuum energy or the gluon condensate. We demonstrate that if the revolution effect is (is not) taken into account, the transition temperature increases (decreases) as the angular velocity increased. The ‘revolving bag model’ provides a feasible explanation of the recent lattice simulations showing, contrary to effective models, that rotation favors the confined phase.

Vacuum Energy, the Casimir Effect, and Newton’s Non-Constant

The idea of quantum mechanical vacuum energy contributing to the cosmological vacuum energy density is not new. However, despite the persisting cosmological constant problem, few investigations have focused on this subject. We explore the possibility that the quantum vacuum energy density contributes to the (local) gravitational energy density in the framework of a scale-dependent cosmological constant Λ and Newton’s constant G. This hypothesis has several important consequences, ranging from quantum scale-dependence to the hypothetical prospect of novel experimental insight concerning the quantum origin of cosmological energy density.

Matter accretion onto charged black holes in symmergent gravity

In astrophysics, accretion is a process where the black hole acquires matter. The gravitational energy is released as a result of the accretion and converted into radiation. Accretion onto dark compact objects, for example, neutron stars, white dwarfs, and black holes is a significant process in the astrophysical phenomenon. It is a fruitful way to examine the features of modified gravity theories by testing the analysis of their results related to dark compact objects. Here, we study the motion of a charged particle moving in near a charged symmergent black hole with Maxwell field. The symmergent gravity is a newly developed modified theory gravity within the framework of the vacuum energy VO, gravitational constant G, and quadratic curvature coefficient cO. The vacuum energy VO can be defined in terms of G and cO in the case where all the fields are degenerate in the form of mass. Further, two different choices of the parameter α provide us two different black hole spacetimes, like de Sitter for α<1 and anti-de Sitter for α>1. For this, we explore the accretion of perfect fluid onto the spherically symmetric charged symmergent black hole. Then, we get analytical results among the four-velocity and energy densities of the accreting matter. Further, we investigate it for well-known fluids flowing onto a charged symmergent black hole. Applying the Hamiltonian approach, we are able to explore the nature of accretion for these fluids such as ultra-stiff fluid, ultra-relativistic fluid, radiation fluid, and sub-relativistic fluid onto the source mass. For this study, we classified isothermal types of fluid in the context of equations of state. In addition, we introduced the application of polytropic test fluid associated with accretion disks. The accretion rate is analyzed near a charged symmergent black hole, which produced a typical behavior presented graphically by the significant parameters α and Q.

A new method that automatically regularizes scattering amplitudes

We present a new regularization procedure called autoregularization. The new procedure regularizes the divergences, encountered previously in a scattering process, using the intrinsic scale of the process. We use autoregularization to calculate the amplitudes of several scattering processes in QED and compare the calculations with experimental measurements over a broad range of center-of-momentum energies (≲MeV to ≳200 GeV). The calculated amplitudes are found to be in good agreement with experimental data. 1 1 Specifically, the O(α) correction to electron’s gyromagnetic ratio predicted by autoregularization agrees with experimental measurement to within 0.06% (Section ), which is to be compared to Schwinger’s O(α) correction which agrees with experimental measurement to within 0.15%; the O(α) estimate of the Lamb shift predicted by autoregularization agrees with the experimental measurements to within 0.33% (section ); the running fine structure constant predicted by autoregularization at O(α) agrees with the prediction of cutoff regularization to within 0.8% over one to four orders of magnitude above the electron’s mass scale (section ); the tree-level prediction of autoregularization for Compton scattering is in better agreement with experimental data than the prediction of the well-known Klein-Nishina formula by about 4.02% (section ); the tree-level predicition of autoregularization for pair annihilation at center-of-momentum energy of 206.671 GeV agrees with the experimental data about 0.67 % better than the prediction of the standard QED (section ). To test autoregularization in a non-Abelian gauge theory, we calculate the QCD coupling constant at 1-loop and show that, like the known regularization schemes, autoregularization also predicts asymptotic freedom in QCD. Finally, we show that the vacuum energy density of the free fields in the Standard Model, calculated using autoregularization, is smaller than the current estimate of the cosmic critical density.

Galaxy rotation curve in hyperconical universes: a natural relativistic MOND

Abstract Modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) and similar proposals can (at least partially) explain the excess rotation of galaxies or the equivalent mass-discrepancy acceleration, without (or by reducing) the requirement of dark matter halos. This paper develops a modified gravity model to obtain local limit to the general relativity (GR) compatible with a cosmological metric different to the standard Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker metric. Specifically, the paper uses a distorted stereographic projection of hyperconical universes, which are 4D hypersurfaces embedded into 5D Minkowski spacetime. This embedding is a key in the MOND effects found in galactic scales. To adequately describe the mass-discrepancy acceleration relation, centrifugal force would present a small time-like contribution at large-scale dynamics due to curvature of the Universe. Therefore, the Lagrangian density is very similar to the GR but with subtracting the background curvature (or vacuum energy density) of the perturbed hyperconical metric. Results showed that the proposed model adjusts well to 123 galaxy rotation curves obtained from the Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves database, using only a free parameter.

Vacuum energy with nonideal boundary conditions via an approximate functional equation

Vacuum energy with nonideal boundary conditions via an approximate functional equation

Insight of charge injection barrier at the copper/epoxy resin interface with cross-linking molecules: First-principles calculation and experimental verification

Understanding charge injection at a metal/cross-linking epoxy resin (EP) interface facilitates the design and application of high-power electric and electronic devices. This paper focuses on the charge injection barrier at the metal/EP interfaces using first-principles calculation. Two fragmentary structures, obtained from cross-linking EP with amine and anhydride curing agent, were selected to construct interface models on a Cu(111) slab. The injection barrier, dipole moment, charge transfer, and vacuum energy level shift (Δ) at the interfaces were examined. The model with the anhydride groups produced higher electron and hole injection barriers than the interface model with the amine groups. The model with the amine groups had a higher Δ, which was derived from molecule dipole and charge transfer. An increase in the work function and Δ caused by an electric field caused an increase in the electron injection barrier and a decrease in the hole injection barrier. Experimental results of the methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride cross-linking EP showed a higher charge injection than that of m-phenylenediamine cross-linking EP, providing experimental verification of the theoretical calculation.

Fayet–Iliopoulos D-term in non-supersymmetric heterotic string orbifolds

The Fayet–Iliopoulos D-term is a common feature in N=1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\mathcal {N}}=1$$\\end{document} string vacua that contain an anomalous U(1) gauge symmetry, and arises from a one-loop diagram in string perturbation theory. The same diagram is generated in string vacua in which supersymmetry is broken directly at the string scale, either via spontaneous Scherk–Schwarz breaking, in which case the gravitino mass is determined by the radius of the circle used in the Scherk–Schwarz mechanism, or via explicit supersymmetry breaking by the GSO projections. We analyse the resulting would-be Fayet–Illiopoulos D-term in the non-supersymmetric string vacua and its contribution to the vacuum energy. A numerical estimate in an explicit tachyon-free string-derived model suggests that the would-be D-term contribution may uplift the vacuum energy to a positive value.

Exploring models of running vacuum energy with viscous dark matter from a dynamical system perspective

Running vacuum models and viscous dark matter scenarios beyond perfect fluid idealization are two appealing theoretical strategies that have been separately studied as alternatives to solve some problems rooted in the ΛCDM cosmological model. In this paper, we combine these two notions in a single cosmological setting and investigate their cosmological implications, paying particular attention in the interplay between these two constituents in different cosmological periods. Specifically, we consider a well-studied running vacuum model inspired by renormalization group, and a recently proposed general parameterization for the bulk viscosity ξ. By employing dynamical system analysis, we explore the physical aspects of the new phase space that emerges from the combined models and derive stability conditions that ensure complete cosmological dynamics. We identify four distinct classes of models and find that the critical points of the phase space are non-trivially renewed compared to the single scenarios. We then proceed, in a joint and complementary way to the dynamical system analysis, with a detailed numerical exploration to quantify the impact of both the running parameter and the bulk viscosity coefficient on the cosmological evolution. Thus, for some values of the model parameters, numerical solutions show qualitative differences from the ΛCDM model, which is phenomenologically appealing in light of cosmological observations.