Solution to the Cosmological Constant Problem by Gauge Theory of Gravity

Based on geometry picture of gravitational gauge theory, the cosmological constant is determined theoreti-cally. The cosmological constant is related to the average energy density of gravitational gauge field. Because the energy density of gravltatlona] gauge field is negative, the cosmological constant is positive, which generates repulasive force on stars to make the expansion rate of the Universe accelerated. A rough estimation of it gives out its magnitude of the order of about 10^52m^-2, which is well consistent with experimental results.     

Torsion,Scalar Field,Mass and FRW Cosmology

In the Einstein–Cartan space U₄, an axial vector torsion together with a scalar field connected to a local scale factor have been considered. By combining two particular terms from the SO(4, 1) Pontryagin density and then modifying it in a SO(3, 1) invariant way, we get a Lagrangian density with Lagrange multipliers. Then under FRW-cosmological background, where the scalar field is connected to the source of gravitation, the Euler–Lagrange equations ultimately give the constancy of the gravitational constant together with only three kinds of energy densities representing mass, radiation and cosmological constant. The gravitational constant has been found to be linked with the geometrical Nieh-Yan density.     

Stress-energy connection and cosmological constant problem

We study gravitational properties of vacuum energy by erecting a geometry on the stress-energy tensor of vacuum, matter and radiation. Postulating that the gravitational effects of matter and radiation can be formulated by an appropriate modification of the spacetime connection, we obtain varied geometrodynamical equations which properly comprise the usual gravitational field equations with, however, Planck-suppressed, non-local, higher-dimensional additional terms. The prime novelty brought about by the formalism is that, the vacuum energy does act not as the cosmological constant but as the source of the gravitational constant. The formalism thus deafens the cosmological constant problem by channeling vacuum energy to gravitational constant. Nevertheless, quantum gravitational effects, if any, restore the problem via the graviton and graviton-matter loops, and the mechanism proposed here falls short of taming such contributions to cosmological constant.     

Global Properties of Gravitational Lens Maps¶in a Lorentzian Manifold Setting

In a general-relativistic spacetime (Lorentzian manifold), gravitational lensing can be characterized by a lens map, in analogy to the lens map of the quasi-Newtonian approximation formalism. The lens map is defined on the celestial sphere of the observer (or on part of it) and it takes values in a two-dimensional manifold representing a two-parameter family of worldlines. In this article we use methods from differential topology to characterize global properties of the lens map. Among other things, we use the mapping degree (also known as Brouwer degree) of the lens map as a tool for characterizing the number of images in gravitational lensing situations. Finally, we illustrate the general results with gravitational lensing (a) by a static string, (b) by a spherically symmetric body, (c) in asymptotically simple and empty spacetimes, and (d) in weakly perturbed Robertson–Walker spacetimes. Received: 16 October 2000 / Accepted: 18 January 2001     

Solution to the Cosmological Constant Problem by Gauge Theory of Gravity

Based on geometry picture of gravitational gauge theory, the cosmological constant is determined theoreti-cally. The cosmological constant is related to the average energy density of gravitational gauge field. Because the energydensity of gravitational gauge field is negative, the cosmological constant is positive, which generates repulsive force onstars to make the expansion rate of the Universe accelerated. A rough estimation of it gives out its magnitude of theorder of about 10-52m-2, which is well consistent with experimental results.     

Bianchi-I Space-time with Variable Gravitational and?Cosmological “Constants”

We consider Einstein’s field equations with variable gravitational and cosmological “constants” for a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi-I space-time. A law of variation for the Hubble parameter, which is related to the average scale factor and yields a constant value of the deceleration parameter, is assumed to solve the field equations. The gravitational constant is allowed to follow a power-law form. We find that a time-increasing gravitational constant is suitable for describing the present evolution of universe. The solutions reveal the dynamics of a universe, which expands forever. The physical interpretation of the solutions is discussed in detail.     

Constraints on cosmological parameters from the analysis of the cosmic lens all sky survey radio-selected gravitational lens statistics

We derive constraints on cosmological parameters and the properties of the lensing galaxies from gravitational lens statistics based on the final Cosmic Lens All Sky Survey data. For a flat universe with a classical cosmological constant, we find that the present matter fraction of the critical density is Omega(m)=0.31(+0.27)(-0.14) (68%)+0.12-0.10 (syst). For a flat universe with a constant equation of state for dark energy w=p(x)(pressure)/rho(x)(energy density), we find w<-0.55(+0.18)(-0.11) (68%).     

Axiomatic approach to the cosmological constant

A theory of the cosmological constant Λ is currently out of reach. Still, one can start from a set of axioms that describe the most desirable properties a cosmological constant should have. This can be seen in certain analogy to the Khinchin axioms in information theory, which fix the most desirable properties an information measure should have and that ultimately lead to the Shannon entropy as the fundamental information measure on which statistical mechanics is based. Here we formulate a set of axioms for the cosmological constant in close analogy to the Khinchin axioms, formally replacing the dependence of the information measure on probabilities of events by a dependence of the cosmological constant on the fundamental constants of nature. Evaluating this set of axioms one finally arrives at a formula for the cosmological constant given by , where G is the gravitational constant, m_e the electron mass, and α_el the low-energy limit of the fine structure constant. This formula is in perfect agreement with current WMAP data. Our approach gives physical meaning to the Eddington-Dirac large-number hypothesis and suggests that the observed value of the cosmological constant is not at all unnatural.     

Effective Nonlocal Euclidean Gravity

A nonlocal form of the effective gravitational action could cure the unboundedness of euclidean gravity with Einstein action. On sub-horizon length scales the modified gravitational field equations seem compatible with all present tests of general relativity and post-Newtonian gravity. They induce a difference in the effective Newtonian constant between regions of space with vanishing or nonvanishing curvature scalar (or Ricci tensor). In cosmology they may lead to a value < 1 for the critical density after inflation. The simplest model considered here appears to be in conflict with nucleosynthesis, but generalizations consistent with all cosmological observations seem conceivable.     

On a Fermat principle in general relativity. A Morse theory for light rays

In this paper an infinite dimensional Morse theory for lightlike geodesics joining a point with a timelike curve on a class of Lorentzian manifolds is developed under intrinsic assumptions. It yields applications to the gravitational lens effect. In particular we show that the number of images in the gravitational lens effect is infinite or odd.     

Universal temperature corrections to the free energy for the gravitational field

The temperature correction to the free energy of the gravitational field is considered which does not depend on the Planck energy physics. The leading correction may be interpreted in terms of the temperature-dependent effective gravitational constant G_eff. The temperature correction to appears to be valid for all temperatures T?E_Planck. It is universal since it is determined only by the number of fermionic and bosonic fields with masses m?T, does not contain the Planck energy scale E_Planck which determines the gravitational constant at T=0, and does not depend on whether or not the gravitational field obeys the Einstein equations. That is why this universal modification of the free energy for gravitational field can be used to study thermodynamics of quantum systems in condensed matter (such as quantum liquids superfluid ³He and ⁴He), where the effective gravity emerging for fermionic and/or bosonic quasiparticles in the low-energy corner is quite different from the Einstein gravity.     

Characteristic Features of Gravitational Wave Lensing as Probe of Lens Mass Model

To recognize gravitational wave lensing events and being able to differentiate between similar lens models will be of crucial importance once one will be observing several lensing events of gravitational waves per year. In this work, the lensing of gravitational waves is studied in the context of LISA sources and wave-optics regime. While different papers before the studied microlensing effects enhanced by simultaneous strong lensing, the focus is on frequency (time) dependent phase effects produced by one lens that will be visible with only one lensed signal. It is shows how, in the interference regime (i.e., when interference patterns are present in the lensed image), one is able to i) distinguish a lensed waveform from an unlensed one, and ii) differentiate between different lens models. In pure wave-optics, on the other hand, the feasibility of the study depends on the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal and/or the amplitude of the lensing effect. To achieve these goals, the phase of the amplification factor of the different lens models and its effect on the unlensed waveform is studied, and the signal-to-noise calculation to provide some quantitative examples is exploited.     

Determination of the gravitational constant G

A precise knowledge of the Newtonian gravitational constant G has an important role in physics and is of considerable meteorological interest. Although G was the first physical constant to be introduced and measured in the history of science, it is still the least precisely determined of all the fundamental constants of nature. The 2002 CODATA recommended value for G, G = (6.6742 ± 0.0010) × 10⁻¹¹m³ · kg⁻¹ · s⁻², has an uncertainty of 150 parts per million (ppm), much larger than that of all other fundamental constants. Reviewed here is the status of our knowledge of the absolute value of G, methods for determining G, and recent high precision experiments for determining G.     

Models of G time variations in diverse dimensions

A review of different cosmological models in diverse dimensions leading to a relatively small time variation in the effective gravitational constant G is presented. Among them: the 4-dimensional (4-D) general scalar-tensor model, the multidimensional vacuum model with two curved Einstein spaces, the multidimensional model with the multicomponent anisotropic “perfect fluid”, the S-brane model with scalar fields and two form fields, etc. It is shown that there exist different possible ways of explaining relatively small time variations of the effective gravitational constant G compatible with present cosmological data (e.g. acceleration): 4-dimensional scalar-tensor theories or multidimensional cosmological models with different matter sources. The experimental bounds on Ġ may be satisfied either in some restricted interval or for all allowed values of the synchronous time variable.      

ESSAY: The Cosmological Constant Problem in Brane-Worlds and Gravitational Lorentz Violations

Brane worlds are theories with extra spatial dimensions in which ordinary matter is localized on a (3+1) dimensional submanifold. Such theories could have interesting consequences for particle physics and gravitational physics. In this essay we concentrate on the cosmological constant (CC) problem in the context of brane worlds. We show how extra-dimensional scenarios may violate Lorentz invariance in the gravity sector of the effective 4D theory, while particle physics remains unaffected. In such theories the usual no-go theorems for adjustment of the CC do not apply, and we indicate a possible explanation of the smallness of the CC. Lorentz violating effects would manifest themselves in gravitational waves travelling with a speed different from light, which can be searched for in gravitational wave experiments.     

Using gravitational lenses to detect gravitational waves

Gravitational lenses could be used to detect gravitational waves, because a gravitational wave affects the travel-time of a light ray. In a gravitational lens, this effect produces time-delays between the different images. Thus the bending of light, which was the first experimental confirmation of Einstein's theory, can be used to search for gravitational waves, which are the most poorly confirmed aspect of that same theory. Applying this method to the gravitational lens 0957+561 gives new upper bounds on the amplitude of low-frequency gravitational waves in the universe, and new limits on the energy-density during an early inflationary phase.This Essay received the First Award from the Gravity Research Foundation, 1990-Ed.     

Remarks on the Formulation of the Cosmological Constant/Dark Energy Problems

Associated with the cosmic acceleration are the old and new cosmological constant problems, recently put into the more general context of the dark energy problem. In broad terms, the old problem is related to an unexpected order of magnitude of this component while the new problem is related to this magnitude being of the same order of the matter energy density during the present epoch of cosmic evolution. Current plans to measure the equation of state or density parameters certainly constitute an important approach; however, as we discuss, this approach is faced with serious feasibility challenges and is limited in the type of conclusive answers it could provide. Therefore, is it really too early to seek actively for new tests and approaches to these problems? In view of the difficulty of this endeavor, we argue in this work that a good place to start is by questioning some of the assumptions underlying the formulation of these problems and finding new ways to put this questioning to the test. First, we calculate how much fine tuning the cosmic coincidence problem represents. Next, we discuss the potential of some cosmological probes such as weak gravitational lensing to identify novel tests to probe dark energy questions and assumptions and provide an example of consistency tests. Then, motivated by some theorems in General Relativity, we discuss if the full identification of the cosmological constant with vacuum energy is unquestionable. We discuss some implications of the simplest solution for the principles of General Relativity. Also, we point out the relevance of experiments at the interface of astrophysics and quantum field theory, such as the Casimir effect in gravitational and cosmological contexts. We conclude that challenging some of the assumptions underlying the cosmological constant problems and putting them to the test may prove useful and necessary to make progress on these questions.     

万有引力常数G精确测量实验进展

万有引力常数G是人类历史上引入的第一个基本物理学常数,其在理论物理、天体物理和地球物理等许多领域中扮演着重要角色.两百多年来,人们共测量出了200多个G值,但G的测量精度仍然是所有物理学常数中最差的,这一现象反映了测G工作本身的复杂性和困难性.本文简要概述了G值测量的意义和测G的历史,并结合自2010年以来国际上新出现的三个高精度测G实验介绍这一领域的研究进展,以及华中科技大学引力实验中心测G工作的最新动态.     

Intrinsic gravitational regularization of quantum fields

One implication of maximal proper acceleration is an intrinsic regularization of quantum fields which depends on the universal gravitational constant. It also follows that the vacuum energy density, seen by any one observer, is finite.     

Oscillating Flat FRW Dark Energy Dominated Cosmology from Periodic Functional Approach

I discuss the modification of Einstein＇s Theory of General Relativity based on a periodic functional approach. In this new approach, a corrected periodic gravitational coupling constant arises and plays the role of periodic damping term acting on the theory. It is found that it is achievable to have an oscillating universe dominated by dark energy and expanding aceeleratedly in time.