Possible Origins of a Small Nonzero Cosmological Constant

May, 1987
3 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Lett.B 197 (1987) 42-44
  • Published: 1987
Report number:
  • PRINT-87-0455 (WEIZMANN)

Citations per year

1997200420112018202502468
Abstract: (Elsevier)
The idea that the cosmological constant Λ may have a small, nonzero value (Λ ∼ (10 −33 eV) 2 ) has been recently revived in attempts to understand several cosmological issues. Despite the fact that such a small, nonzero Λ is aesthetically unappealing the issue of its existence will eventually be decided by experiments. In this paper the implications to particle physics of the existence of such a small, nonzero value of Λ are examined. Models are described in which the ground state of the system is assumed to have a cosmological constant equal to zero but in which we are not, presently in this ground state. The possibility that this deviation from the ground state leads to such a small, effective cosmological constant is studied.
  • cosmological constant
  • field theory: scalar
  • electroweak interaction
  • effect: topological
  • postulated particle: axion
  • field theory: vacuum state
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