The cosmological constant and dark energy in braneworlds

TL;DR

This paper reviews braneworld models as a novel approach to the cosmological constant problem and late-time cosmic acceleration, highlighting how extra-dimensional effects can alter gravity and potentially resolve key cosmological issues.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of how braneworld scenarios can address the cosmological constant problem and explain cosmic acceleration, including the Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati model and related challenges.

Findings

Vacuum energy may not curve 4D spacetime in braneworlds

Large extra dimensions can host quintessence fields

Distinguishing braneworld models from dark energy is possible

Abstract

We review recent attempts to address the cosmological constant problem and the late-time acceleration of the Universe based on braneworld models. In braneworld models, the way in which the vacuum energy gravitates in the 4D spacetime is radically different from conventional 4D physics. It is possible that the vacuum energy on a brane does not curve the 4D spacetime and only affects the geometry of the extra-dimensions, offering a solution to the cosmological constant problem. We review the idea of supersymmetric large extra dimensions that could achieve this and also provide a natural candidate for a quintessence field. We also review the attempts to explain the late-time accelerated expansion of the universe from the large-distance modification of gravity based on the braneworld. We use the Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati model to demonstrate how one can distinguish this model from dark energy models in 4D general relativity. Theoretical difficulties in this approach are also addressed.