Cosmological Acceleration from Virtual Gravitons

TL;DR

This paper proposes a quantum gravity mechanism involving virtual gravitons that explains the universe's accelerated expansion as a macroscopic quantum effect.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach using the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon hierarchy to derive exact solutions showing cosmic acceleration from virtual gravitons.

Findings

Exact solutions demonstrate acceleration due to virtual gravitons.

Virtual graviton creation exceeds annihilation during expansion.

Spontaneous graviton creation energy drives cosmic acceleration.

Abstract

Intrinsic properties of the space itself and quantum fluctuations of its geometry are sufficient to provide a mechanism for the acceleration of cosmological expansion (dark energy effect). Applying Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon hierarchy approach to self-consistent equations of one-loop quantum gravity, we found exact solutions that yield acceleration. The permanent creation and annihilation of virtual gravitons is not in exact balance because of the expansion of the Universe. The excess energy comes from the spontaneous process of graviton creation and is trapped by the background. It provides the macroscopic quantum effect of cosmic acceleration.