On The Problem of Vacuum energy in Brane Theories

TL;DR

This paper discusses the vacuum energy problem in brane theories, highlighting the unavoidable Casimir energy from matter confinement and exploring potential solutions like supersymmetry and quantum effects.

Contribution

It identifies the intrinsic vacuum energy issue in brane models and evaluates possible mechanisms to mitigate it, advancing understanding of brane stability.

Findings

Casimir energy is unavoidable in brane matter confinement

Spontaneously broken supersymmetry can reduce vacuum energy

Quantum effects may induce brane tension to address the problem

Abstract

We point out that modern brane theories suffer from a severe vacuum energy problem. To be specific, the Casimir energy associated with the matter fields confined to the brane, is stemming from the one and the same localization mechanism which forms the brane itself, and is thus generically unavoidable. Possible practical solutions are discussed, including in particular spontaneously broken supersymmetry, and quantum mechanically induced brane tension.