Simple quantum cosmology: Vacuum energy and initial state

TL;DR

This paper proposes a quantum cosmology model where a non-singular, static universe spontaneously arises from nothing in higher dimensions, leading to an inflationary universe with predictions consistent with current cosmological observations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum cosmology scenario involving a static universe in higher dimensions that can transition to inflation without fine-tuning, predicting observable cosmological parameters.

Findings

Predicts about 60 e-folds of inflation.

Vacuum energy density depends on extra dimensions and fundamental constants.

Aligns with observed Omega-Lambda value of approximately 0.7.

Abstract

A static non-singular 10-dimensional closed Friedmann universe of Planck size, filled with a perfect fluid with an equation of state with w = -2/3, can arise spontaneously by a quantum fluctuation from nothing in 11-dimensional spacetime. A quantum transition from this state can initiate the inflationary quantum cosmology outlined in Ref. 2 [General Relativity and Gravitation 33, 1415, 2001 - gr-qc/0103021]. With no fine-tuning, that cosmology predicts about 60 e-folds of inflation and a vacuum energy density depending only on the number of extra space dimensions (seven), G, h, c and the ratio between the strength of gravity and the strength of the strong force. The fraction of the total energy in the universe represented by this vacuum energy depends on the Hubble constant. Hubble constant estimates from WMAP, SDSS, the Hubble Key Project and Sunyaev-Zeldovich and X-ray flux measurements range from 60 to 72 km/(Mpc sec). With a mid-range Hubble constant of 65 km/(Mpc sec), the model in Ref. 2 predicts Omega-sub-Lambda = 0.7