Vacuum energy density kicked by the electroweak crossover

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the electroweak crossover can produce a small, residual vacuum energy density consistent with the observed cosmological constant, offering insights into the cosmic coincidence problem.

Contribution

It introduces a mechanism using q-theory to link the electroweak crossover to the generation of a small vacuum energy density.

Findings

Remnant vacuum energy density f rac{E_{ew}^8}{E_{planck}^4}

Potential explanation for the small cosmological constant

Addresses the cosmic coincidence puzzle

Abstract

Using q-theory, we show that the electroweak crossover can generate a remnant vacuum energy density \Lambda \sim E_{ew}^8 / E_{planck}^4, with effective electroweak energy scale E_{ew} \sim 10^{3} GeV and reduced Planck-energy scale E_{planck} \sim 10^{18} GeV. The obtained expression for the effective cosmological constant \Lambda may be a crucial input for the suggested solution by Arkani-Hamed et al. of the triple cosmic coincidence puzzle (why the orders of magnitude of the energy densities of vacuum, matter, and radiation are approximately the same in the present Universe).