Investigation of the polarizable vacuum cosmology

Abstract

The basic cosmological predictions of a `polarizable-vacuum' theory of gravity due to Dicke, predating the scalar-tensor theory, are investigated and tested for their compliance with current observations. A Friedmann-like equation is derived for the theory that differs in a significant way from that of GR, for which it is demonstrated that a big bang is not a solution: the initial scale factor may be small but not zero, and must have zero first derivative. Detailed graphs of the predictions of the theory for combinations of the density parameters are given. It is shown that these predictions are compatible with current estimates for the age and deceleration parameter, and the maximum observable redshift, provided the matter density $Ω_m$ is close to the luminous matter density, i.e. provided there is not a significant amount of missing mass. For these best fit parameters, the theory predicts a maximum initial temperature that is too small for BBN and probably too small to support an era of radiation domination. The theory predicts a radiation power from a binary system that is 2/3 that predicted by GR, and so incompatible with observed orbital decay rate of PSR 1913 + 16. There is some discussion of possible developments, including reconciliation through accommodation of vacuum anisotropy, and of the relation between PV and the Yilmaz theory and the quasi-steady-state cosmology.