Near-Milne realization of scale-invariant fluctuations

Abstract

A near-Milne Universe produces a very red spectrum of vacuum quantum fluctuations, but has the potential to produce near-scale invariant {\it thermal} fluctuations. This happens if the energy and entropy are mildly sub-extensive, for example if there is a Casimir contribution. Therefore, one does not need to invoke corrections to Einstein gravity (as in loop quantum cosmology) for a thermal scenario to be viable. Neither do we need the energy to scale like the area, as in scenarios where the thermal fluctuations are subject to a phase transition in the early Universe. Some odd features of this model are pointed out: whether they are fatal or merely unusual should be the subject of future investigations.