Dark energy as a curvature of space-time induced by quantum vacuum fluctuations

TL;DR

This paper proposes that quantum vacuum fluctuations induce space-time curvature, potentially explaining the universe's accelerated expansion without requiring a non-zero vacuum energy expectation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism linking quantum vacuum fluctuations to cosmic acceleration via space-time curvature, grounded in a calculation within quantized gravity.

Findings

Vacuum fluctuations can produce space-time curvature consistent with cosmic acceleration

The non-linear Einstein equations allow curvature even with zero vacuum energy expectation

A relation between vacuum fluctuation correlations and space-time curvature is established

Abstract

It is shown that quantum vacuum fluctuations give rise to a curvature of space-time of the order appropriate to explain the observed accelerated expansion of the universe. The fact that the fluctuations produce curvature, even if the expectation of the vacuum energy vanishes, is a consequence of the non-linear character of the Einstein equation. A calculation is made, involving plausible hypotheses within quantized gravity, which establishes a relation between the two-point correlation of the vacuum fluctuations and the space-time curvature.