Predictions of the causal entropic principle for environmental conditions of the universe
- Physics Department, McGill University, 3600 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2T8 (Canada)
The causal entropic principle has been proposed as an alternative to the anthropic principle for understanding the magnitude of the cosmological constant. In this approach, the probability to create observers is assumed to be proportional to the entropy production {delta}S in a maximal causally connected region--the causal diamond. We improve on the original treatment by better quantifying the entropy production due to stars, using an analytic model for the star formation history which accurately accounts for changes in cosmological parameters. We calculate the dependence of {delta}S on the density contrast Q={delta}{rho}/{rho}, and find that our universe is much closer to the most probable value of Q than in the usual anthropic approach and that probabilities are relatively weakly dependent on this amplitude. In addition, we make first estimates of the dependence of {delta}S on the baryon fraction and overall matter abundance. Finally, we also explore the possibility that decays of dark matter, suggested by various observed gamma ray excesses, might produce a comparable amount of entropy to stars.
- OSTI ID:
- 21249804
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Vol. 77, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.77.063520; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0556-2821
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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