The quantum gravity connection between inflation and quintessence

TL;DR

This paper proposes a unified quantum gravity framework where a single scalar field explains both early inflation and late-time dark energy, connecting ultraviolet and infrared fixed points through a crossover cosmology.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum gravity-based scalar field model that naturally transitions from inflation to dark energy, addressing the cosmological constant problem and fine-tuning issues.

Findings

Provides a scaling solution connecting UV and IR fixed points.

Predicts properties of inflation and dark energy from quantum gravity.

Explains tiny cosmon mass and suppressed couplings without screening mechanisms.

Abstract

Inflation and quintessence can both be described by a single scalar field. The cosmic time evolution of this cosmon field realizes a crossover from the region of an ultraviolet fixed point in the infinite past to an infrared fixed point in the infinite future. This amounts to a transition from early inflation to late dynamical dark energy, with intermediate radiation and matter domination. The scaling solution of the renormalization flow in quantum gravity connects the two fixed points. It provides for the essential characteristics of the scalar potential needed for the crossover cosmology and solves the cosmological constant problem dynamically. The quantum scale symmetry at the infrared fixed point protects the tiny mass of the cosmon and suppresses the cosmon coupling to atoms without the need of a non-linear screening mechanism, thereby explaining apparent issues of fine tuning. For a given content of particles the scaling solution of quantum gravity is a predictive framework for the properties of inflation and dynamical dark energy.