Solution to the cosmological constant problem

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel resolution to the cosmological constant problem by modeling it as a running counterterm balancing void kinetic energy, eliminating the need for dark energy and aligning with full GR simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach where the cosmological constant is a dynamic counterterm linked to void statistics and spatial curvature, based on full general relativity simulations.

Findings

Results align with the Timescape model parameters.

Void volume fraction influences spatial curvature and the cosmological term.

Potential to resolve the Hubble tension and other cosmological anomalies.

Abstract

I propose an observationally and theoretically consistent resolution of the cosmological constant problem: $\Lambda$ is a counterterm -- with a running coupling -- that balances the monopole celestial sky average of the kinetic energy of expansion of inhomogeneously distributed `small' cosmic voids. No other dark energy source is required. This solution relies on the first investigation of void statistics in cosmological simulations in full general relativity (arXiv:2403.15134). Results are consistent with parameters of the Timescape model of cosmological backreaction. Crucially, dynamical spatial curvature arises as time-varying spatial gradients of the kinetic spatial curvature, and depends directly on the void volume fraction. Its monopole average generates the cosmological term. This result potentially resolves the Hubble tension and offers new approaches to tackling other tensions and anomalies.