Dilution of zero point energies in the cosmological expansion

TL;DR

This paper discusses how the expansion of the universe dilutes zero-point energies of quantum fields, potentially resolving the vacuum energy problem and providing testable predictions through cosmological observations.

Contribution

It proposes that quantum vacuum fluctuations behave as a relativistic gas, leading to dilution of zero-point energies and an additional radiation component in the universe.

Findings

Zero-point energies are diluted by cosmic expansion.

An extra radiation component arises from vacuum fluctuations.

Observational tests include nucleosynthesis and CMB anisotropy.

Abstract

The vacuum fluctuations of all quantum fields filling the universe are supposed to leave enormous energy and pressure contributions which are incompatible with observations. It has been recently suggested that, when the effective nature of quantum field theories is properly taken into account, vacuum fluctuations behave as a relativistic gas rather than as a cosmological constant. Accordingly, zero-point energies are tremendously diluted by the universe expansion but provide an extra contribution to radiation energy. Ongoing and future cosmological observations could offer the opportunity to scrutinize this scenario. The presence of such additional contribution to radiation energy can be tested by using primordial nucleosynthesis bounds or measured on Cosmic Background Radiation anisotropy.