Searcharxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · gr-qc/0004011

Scale Invariance, Inflation and the Present Vacuum Energy of the Universe

E. I. Guendelman
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The possibility of mass in the context of scale-invariant, generally covariant theories, is discussed. Scale invariance is considered in the context of a gravitational theory where the action, in the first order formalism, is of the form $S = \int L_{1} Φd^4x$ + $\int L_{2}\sqrt{-g}d^4x$ where $Φ$ is a density built out of degrees of freedom independent of the metric. For global scale invariance, a "dilaton" $ϕ$ has to be introduced, with non-trivial potentials $V(ϕ)$ = $f_{1}e^{αϕ}$ in $L_1$ and $U(ϕ)$ = $f_{2}e^{2αϕ}$ in $L_2$. This leads to non-trivial mass generation and a potential for $ϕ$ which is interesting for inflation. The model after ssb can be connected to the induced gravity model of Zee, which is a successful model of inflation. Models of the present universe and a natural transition from inflation to a slowly accelerated universe at late times are discussed.

Explore related subjects

gr-qc

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

E. I. Guendelman. 2000-04-04. Scale Invariance, Inflation and the Present Vacuum Energy of the Universe. https://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0004011

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

General Relativistic Chronometry with Clocks on Ground and in Space

One of the main tasks of geodesy is to determine the gravity field of the Earth from measurements performed on ground and in space. High-precision clock comparison has the potential to provide a new observable for the global determination of the Earth's gravitational potential through the gravitational redshift. Towards such a global chronometric geodesy, we derive a general relativistic framework beyond the post-Newtonian level for the relativistic redshift and the timing between observers in stationary spacetimes. These observers are equipped with standard clocks and may move along arbitrary worldlines. The redshift is factorized into geometric, transversal-Doppler, and longitudinal-Doppler contributions, providing a transparent separation of gravitational and kinematic effects. We then show how redshift measurements involving clocks on ground and/or in space can, in principle, be used to determine the mass multipole moments of the underlying spacetime. In the weak field limit, our results recover the corresponding Newtonian and post-Newtonian expressions. The framework is illustrated for different exact vacuum spacetimes and provides a theoretical basis for using clock comparisons as an additional observable for gravity-field recovery and future relativistic geodesy missions.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2026

DESI DR2 Constraints on Coupled Hu--Sawicki $f(R)$ Gravity with Interacting Neutrinos: Implications for the Hubble and \(S_8\) Tensions

We investigate the cosmological implications of viable Hu--Sawicki \(f(R)\) gravity models and their extension through an effective interaction with the neutrino sector. Motivated by the persistent \(H_0\) and \(S_8\) tensions, we explore whether the combined effects of modified gravity, neutrino free-streaming, and dark-sector interaction can alleviate these discrepancies while remaining consistent with current cosmological observations. Starting from the metric formulation of \(f(R)\) gravity, we derive the modified background and perturbation equations and implement the resulting cosmological scenario within the {MontePython}/{hi\_class} framework. A comprehensive Bayesian MCMC analysis is performed using combinations of Planck 2018 CMB data, CMB lensing, DESI DR2 BAO measurements, Cosmic Chronometers, and Pantheon supernova observations. Our results show that the interacting Hu--Sawicki scenario provides a noticeable improvement over both the standard \(Λ\)CDM cosmology and the non-interacting \(f(R)\) framework. In particular, the interacting model shifts the inferred Hubble constant toward larger values, yielding \(H_0 = 70.21 \pm 1.60~{\rm km~s^{-1}Mpc^{-1}}\), while simultaneously lowering the clustering amplitude to \(S_8 = 0.796 \pm 0.009\). Consequently, the residual tensions with SH0ES R22 and DES-Y6 are reduced to nearly the \(1σ\) level. From the statistical perspective, the interacting model provides the best overall fit according to the Akaike Information Criterion, with \(Δχ^2 \simeq -45\) relative to \(Λ\)CDM. The obtained neutrino mass constraints remain fully consistent with current cosmological bounds, with \(\sum m_ν< 0.122~{\rm eV}\). These results suggest that interacting modified-gravity scenarios offer a viable route to moderately easing both late-time tensions at once.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2026

Decoherence of ergotropy of a relativistic battery as a probe of motion-selected Unruh thermality in Minkowski spacetime

We put forward a physical model of a relativistic Unruh-DeWitt battery moving along a general accelerated trajectory, including a linear motion and a circular motion with a reflecting boundary. The maximal amount of quantum work extraction, defined as the ergotropy, serves as a witness to Unruh effect modified by motion trajectories. It is found out that for a very low Unruh temperature, linear motion yields a high amount of ergotropy, while for a high temperature, circular motion becomes optimal for estimating the Unruh effect. For a specific acceleration, the ergotropy is the same for two different trajectories. The behavior demonstrates that, in a certain condition, one can simulate the work extraction of the accelerated battery in a linear motion by exploring the battery in circular motion. The observed ergotropy for the thermality is closely related to quantum coherence affected by spacetime vacuum fluctuations. In the presence of a reflecting boundary plane, we study different ways for the dynamics of the ergotropy. When the battery moves near the boundary, the prominent oscillation of the ergotropy will happen and exhibit some large instantaneous peaks. The interesting phenomenon results from the protection of quantum coherence for the accelerated battery in the vicinity of the boundary. Far away from the boundary, the oscillation behavior can be suppressed and the ergotropy rapidly arrives at a steady value. By contrast, the circular motion contributes to prolonging the oscillation evolution. The asymptotic amount of the ergotropy can rise progressively up to a saturation value with increasing the distance from the circular trajectory to the boundary plane. From the perspective of energy transfer, optimized quantum work extraction for the accelerated battery moving along a selected motion with a boundary plane is advantageous for probing Unruh thermality.

gr-qc↗