Koberinski, Adam (2017) Problems with the cosmological constant problem. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

The cosmological constant problem is widely viewed as an important barrier and hint to merging quantum field theory and general relativity. It is a barrier insofar as it remains unsolved, and a solution may hint at a fuller theory of quantum gravity. I critically examine the arguments used to pose the cosmological constant problem, and find many of the steps poorly justified. In particular, there is little reason to accept an absolute zero point energy scale in quantum field theory, and standard calculations are badly divergent. It is also unclear exactly how a semiclassical treatment of gravity would include a vacuum energy contribution to the total stress-energy. Large classes of solution strategies are also found to be conceptually wanting. I conclude that one should not accept the cosmological constant problem as standardly stated.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Koberinski, Adam akoberin@uwo.ca
Keywords:	quantum field theory; cosmological constant problem
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Adam Koberinski
Date Deposited:	30 Dec 2017 19:58
Last Modified:	30 Dec 2017 19:58
Item ID:	14244
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Date:	2017
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14244

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