Vacuum Fluctuations Cannot Mimic a Cosmological Constant

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that vacuum fluctuations, when calculated from fundamental quantum field theory principles, cannot produce a cosmological constant, challenging common assumptions about their role in cosmic acceleration.

Contribution

It provides a direct calculation showing vacuum fluctuation pressure differs from energy density, arguing they cannot mimic a cosmological constant.

Findings

Vacuum fluctuation pressure is not equal to negative energy density.

Vacuum fluctuations cannot serve as a cosmological constant.

Challenges the assumption that quantum vacuum fluctuations drive cosmic acceleration.

Abstract

When the vacuum fluctuation pressure is calculated directly from fundamental principles of quantum field theory, in the same manner as vacuum fluctuation energy density is commonly calculated, one finds it is not equal to the negative of the vacuum fluctuation energy density. Thus, vacuum fluctuations cannot manifest as a cosmological constant of any order.