The history of the cosmological constant problem
Norbert Straumann (Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of, Zurich, Switzerland)
TL;DR
This paper reviews the historical development of the cosmological constant problem from Einstein's introduction to Zel'dovich's work, including classical and early quantum perspectives.
Contribution
It provides a comprehensive historical overview of the cosmological constant problem, highlighting classical and quantum insights before modern gauge theories.
Findings
Historical timeline of the cosmological constant's conceptual evolution
Early quantum considerations by Pauli on vacuum energy
Contextual background for modern cosmological constant issues
Abstract
The interesting early history of the cosmological term is reviewed, beginning with its introduction by Einstein in 1917 and ending with two papers of Zel'dovich, shortly before the advent of spontaneously broken gauge theories. Beside classical aspects, I shall also mention some unpublished early remarks by Pauli on possible contributions of vacuum energies in quantum field theory.
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Taxonomy
TopicsRelativity and Gravitational Theory · Cosmology and Gravitation Theories · History and Developments in Astronomy