From spacetime foam to holographic foam cosmology

TL;DR

This paper explores a holographic model of spacetime foam that predicts critical cosmic energy density, maximum entropy, and the necessity of dark energy, proposing it as a potential alternative to inflation with testable predictions.

Contribution

It introduces a holographic foam cosmology framework that links quantum spacetime fluctuations to large-scale cosmic phenomena, offering a novel alternative to inflation.

Findings

Predicts critical density of cosmic energy

Suggests maximum entropy consistent with holography

Proposes testable consequences as an inflation alternative

Abstract

Due to quantum fluctuations, spacetime is foamy on small scales. For maximum spatial resolution of the geometry of spacetime, the holographic model of spacetime foam stipulates that the uncertainty or fluctuation of distance $l$ is given, on the average, by $(l l_P^2)^{1/3}$ where $l_P$ is the Planck length. Applied to cosmology, it predicts that the cosmic energy is of critical density and the cosmic entropy is the maximum allowed by the holographic principle. In addition, it requires the existence of unconventional (dark) energy/matter and accelerating cosmic expansion in the present era. We will argue that a holographic foam cosmology of this type has the potential to become a full fledged competitor (with distinct testable consequences) for scalar driven inflation.