On the distribution of gravitational energy in the de Sitter space

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Mathematical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.531777· OSTI ID:397465

Maluf, J W ^[1]

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1. Universidade de Brasilia, C.P. 04385, 70.919-970 Brasilia DF (Brazil)

We calculate the total gravitational energy and the gravitational energy density of the de Sitter space using the definition of localized gravitational energy that naturally arises in the framework of the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity. We find that the gravitational energy can only be defined within the cosmological horizon and is largely concentrated in regions far from the center of spherical symmetry, i.e., in the vicinity of the maximal spacelike radial coordinate {ital R}={radical}3/{Lambda}. The smaller the cosmological constant, the farther the concentration of energy. This result complies with the phenomenological features of the de Sitter solution, namely, the existence of a radial acceleration directed away from the center of symmetry experienced by a test particle in the de Sitter space. Einstein already contemplated the de Sitter solution as a world with a surface distribution of matter, a picture which is in agreement with the present analysis. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 397465
• Journal Information: Journal of Mathematical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Mathematical Physics Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 37; ISSN JMAPAQ; ISSN 0022-2488
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
DE SITTER METRIC
ENERGY DENSITY
GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
HAMILTONIAN FUNCTION