Thoughts on the Vacuum Energy in the Quantum N-Portrait

TL;DR

This paper explores the quantum N-portrait of the universe, suggesting that vacuum energy is suppressed by 1/N near a critical phase transition, with implications for cosmic expansion.

Contribution

It applies the quantum N-portrait to cosmology, proposing a mechanism for vacuum energy suppression related to graviton condensates and phase transitions.

Findings

Vacuum energy suppression scales with 1/N near criticality

Time evolution reduces vacuum energy suppression

Potential implications for understanding cosmic expansion

Abstract

An application of the quantum N-portrait to the Universe is discussed, wherein the space-time geometry is understood as a Bose-Einstein condensate of N soft gravitons. If near or at the critical point of a quantum phase transition, indications are found that the vacuum energy is partly suppressed by 1/N, as being due to quanta not in the condensate state. Time evolution decreases this suppression, which might have implications for cosmic expansion.