Time arrow is influenced by the dark energy

TL;DR

This paper proposes that dark energy not only causes the universe's accelerated expansion but also influences the arrow of time by supporting the decay of metastable states and driving entropy production.

Contribution

It introduces a novel perspective linking dark energy to time asymmetry and metastable state decay, supported by a microcanonical ensemble example.

Findings

Dark energy supports the decay of metastable states.

Dark energy leads to hyperbolic motion and entropy production.

Time asymmetry is connected to the universe's accelerated expansion.

Abstract

The arrow of time and the accelerated expansion are two fundamental empirical facts of the Universe. We advance the viewpoint that the dark energy (positive cosmological constant) accelerating the expansion of the Universe also supports the time asymmetry. It is related to the decay of meta-stable states under generic perturbations, as we show on example of a microcanonical ensemble. These states will not be meta-stable without dark energy. The latter also ensures a hyperbolic motion leading to dynamic entropy production with the rate determined by the cosmological constant.