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Scale Invariance and Vacuum Energy

E. I. Guendelman
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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 new inflation. Scale invariant mass terms for fermions lead to a possible explanation of the present day accelerated universe and of cosmic coincidences.

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E. I. Guendelman. 2001-06-11. Scale Invariance and Vacuum Energy. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0217732399001498

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