Dynamical Solution to the Problem of a Small Cosmological Constant and Late-Time Cosmic Acceleration

Journal Article · Mon Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 2000 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.4438· OSTI ID:40205906

Armendariz-Picon, C; Mukhanov, V; Steinhardt, Paul J

Increasing evidence suggests that most of the energy density of the universe consists of a dark energy component with negative pressure that causes the cosmic expansion to accelerate. We address why this component comes to dominate the universe only recently. We present a class of theories based on an evolving scalar field where the explanation is based entirely on internal dynamical properties of the solutions. In the theories we consider, the dynamics causes the scalar field to lock automatically into a negative pressure state at the onset of matter domination such that the present epoch is the earliest possible time consistent with nucleosynthesis restrictions when it can start to dominate.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• OSTI ID: 40205906
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 85, Issue 21; Other Information: Othernumber: PRLTAO000085000021004438000001; 012047PRL; PBD: 20 Nov 2000; ISSN 0031-9007
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT
ENERGY DENSITY
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
SCALAR FIELDS
UNIVERSE