Centenary of Alexander Friedmann's Prediction of the Universe Expansion and the Quantum Vacuum

TL;DR

This paper reviews the historical and scientific significance of Friedmann's prediction of universe expansion, its experimental confirmation, and the role of quantum vacuum and cosmological constant in modern cosmology.

Contribution

It highlights the importance of Friedmann's prediction and explores the connection between quantum vacuum, inflation, and accelerated universe expansion.

Findings

Experimental confirmation via galaxy redshift and relic radiation.

Quantum vacuum as an alternative to inflaton in inflationary models.

Cosmological constant from quantum vacuum explains accelerated expansion.

Abstract

We review the main scientific pictures of the universe developed from ancient times to Albert Einstein and underline that all of them treated the universe as a stationary system with unchanged physical properties. In contrast to this, 100 years ago Alexander Friedmann predicted that the universe expands starting from the point of infinitely large energy density. We briefly discuss the physical meaning of this prediction and its experimental confirmation consisting of the discovery of redshift in the spectra of remote galaxies and relic radiation. After mentioning the horizon problem in the theory of the hot universe, the inflationary model is considered in connection with the concept of quantum vacuum as an alternative to the inflaton field. The accelerated expansion of the universe is discussed as powered by the cosmological constant originating from the quantum vacuum. The conclusion is made that since Alexander Friedmann's prediction of the universe expansion radically altered our picture of the world in comparison with the previous epochs, his name should be put on a par with the names of Ptolemy and Copernicus.