Casimir Energy of the Universe and New Regularization of Higher Dimensional Quantum Field Theories

TL;DR

This paper calculates Casimir energy in 5D warped geometries using a novel regularization method based on minimal surfaces, avoiding KK-expansion, and explores implications for the cosmological constant problem.

Contribution

It introduces sphere lattice regularization and a geometrical approach to 5D QFT, providing finite Casimir energy without KK-expansion and proposing new definitions involving minimal surfaces and weight functions.

Findings

Casimir energy is finite after proper renormalization.

Warp parameter experiences renormalization effects.

New approach links 4D momenta quantization with extra-dimensional geometry.

Abstract

Casimir energy is calculated for the 5D electromagnetism and 5D scalar theory in the {\it warped} geometry. It is compared with the flat case. A new regularization, called {\it sphere lattice regularization}, is taken. In the integration over the 5D space, we introduce two boundary curves (IR-surface and UV-surface) based on the {\it minimal area principle}. It is a {\it direct} realization of the geometrical approach to the {\it renormalization group}. The regularized configuration is {\it closed-string like}. We do {\it not} take the KK-expansion approach. Instead, the position/momentum propagator is exploited, combined with the {\it heat-kernel method}. All expressions are closed-form (not KK-expanded form). The {\it generalized} P/M propagators are introduced. We numerically evaluate $\La$(4D UV-cutoff), $\om$(5D bulk curvature, warp parameter) and $T$(extra space IR parameter) dependence of the Casimir energy. We present two {\it new ideas} in order to define the 5D QFT: 1) the summation (integral) region over the 5D space is {\it restricted} by two minimal surfaces (IR-surface, UV-surface) ; or 2) we introduce a {\it weight function} and require the dominant contribution, in the summation, is given by the {\it minimal surface}. Based on these, 5D Casimir energy is {\it finitely} obtained after the {\it proper renormalization procedure.} The {\it warp parameter} $\om$ suffers from the {\it renormalization effect}. The IR parameter $T$ does not. We examine the meaning of the weight function and finally reach a {\it new definition} of the Casimir energy where {\it the 4D momenta(or coordinates) are quantized} with the extra coordinate as the Euclidean time (inverse temperature). We examine the cosmological constant problem and present an answer at the end. Dirac's large number naturally appears.