Thermodynamics of Anomaly-Driven Cosmology

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum corrections to horizon entropy modify cosmological equations, linking thermodynamics, quantum field theory anomalies, and braneworld cosmology.

Contribution

It demonstrates that logarithmic entropy corrections lead to modified Friedmann equations consistent with semi-classical Einstein equations from trace anomalies.

Findings

Logarithmic entropy correction yields modified Friedmann equations.

Thermodynamic approach describes Randall-Sundrum braneworld dynamics.

Connects quantum anomalies with cosmological evolution.

Abstract

The Friedmann equations of general relativity can be derived from the first law of thermodynamics when the entropy of the apparent horizon of a spatially isotropic universe is given by the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. We point out that if the entropy of the apparent horizon receives a logarithmic correction, the first law of thermodynamics leads to a modified Friedmann equation which corresponds precisely to the time-time component of the semi-classical Einstein field equations sourced by the trace anomaly of ${\cal{N}}=4$ U(N) super-Yang-Mills theory. This correspondence allows for a thermodynamic description of the dynamics of the Randall-Sundrum braneworld scenario.