Toward Solving the Cosmological Constant Problem?

TL;DR

This paper explores higher codimension brane world models with infinite extra dimensions, showing that higher curvature terms can produce flat 4D spacetime solutions despite positive brane tension, addressing the cosmological constant problem.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach using higher curvature terms in brane models to achieve flat 4D solutions across a range of tensions, offering insights into the cosmological constant problem.

Findings

Smooth solutions with flat 4D spacetime for positive brane tension

Higher curvature terms enable solutions in higher codimension scenarios

Addresses aspects of the cosmological constant problem

Abstract

We discuss the cosmological constant problem in the context of higher codimension brane world scenarios with infinite-volume extra dimensions. In particular, by adding higher curvature terms in the bulk action we are able to find smooth solutions with the property that the 4-dimensional part of the brane world-volume is flat for a range of positive values of the brane tension.