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arXiv · 1205.3807

Accelerated Expansion from Negative Λ

James B. Hartle·S. W. Hawking·Thomas Hertog
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Abstract

Wave functions specifying a quantum state of the universe must satisfy the constraints of general relativity, in particular the Wheeler-DeWitt equation (WDWE). We show for a wide class of models with non-zero cosmological constant that solutions of the WDWE exhibit a universal semiclassical asymptotic structure for large spatial volumes. A consequence of this asymptotic structure is that a wave function in a gravitational theory with a negative cosmological constant can predict an ensemble of asymptotically classical histories which expand with a positive effective cosmological constant. This raises the possibility that even fundamental theories with a negative cosmological constant can be consistent with our low-energy observations of a classical, accelerating universe. We illustrate this general framework with the specific example of the no-boundary wave function in its holographic form. The implications of these results for model building in string cosmology are discussed.

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James B. Hartle, S. W. Hawking, Thomas Hertog. 2012-07-31. Accelerated Expansion from Negative Λ. https://arxiv.org/abs/1205.3807

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