Dark energy from quantum fluctuations

TL;DR

This paper derives a dynamic quantum vacuum pressure and energy density from quantum fluctuations, which can be incorporated into Einstein's equations to support models of dark energy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel derivation of quantum vacuum pressure and energy density as dynamical entities suitable for cosmological modeling.

Findings

Quantum vacuum pressure P_vac is derived as a primary, dynamical entity.

Quantum vacuum energy density G_vac is secondary but of expected order.

Both P_vac and G_vac can support holographic and thermodynamic dark energy models.

Abstract

We have derived the quantum vacuum pressure P_vac as a primary entity, removing a trivial and a gauge terms from the cosmological constant-like part (the zeroth term) of the effective action for a free matter field. The quantum vacuum energy density G_vac appears a secondary entity, but both are of expected order. Moreover P_vac and G_vac are dynamical, and therefore they can be used in the Einstein equations. In particular, they could dynamically support holographic dark energy model as well as the `thermodynamic' one.