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A non-perturbative Hamiltonian approach to the cosmological constant problem
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- It was recently suggested that the cosmological constant problem as viewed in a non-perturbative framework is intimately connected to the choice of time and a physical Hamiltonian. We develop this idea further by calculating the non-perturbative vacuum energy density as a function of the cosmological constant with multiple choices of time. We also include a spatial curvature of the universe and generalize this calculation beyond cosmology at a classical level. We show that vacuum energy density depends on the choice of time, and in almost all time gauges, is a non-linear function of the cosmological constant. This non-linear relation is a calculation for the vacuum energy density given some arbitrary value of the cosmological constant. Hence, in this non-perturbative framework, the cosmological constant problem does not arise. We also discuss why the conventional cosmological constant problem is not well-posed, and formulate and answer the question: "Does vacuum gravitate?" Finally, we give a derivation of reduction to quantum mechanics on a flat background from a non-perturbative gravity-matter theory.<br />Comment: 31 pages, 2 figures
- Subjects :
- General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- arXiv
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsarx.1804.01389
- Document Type :
- Working Paper