Vacuum Energy, the Casimir Effect, and Newton’s Non-Constant

Abstract

The idea of quantum mechanical vacuum energy contributing to the cosmological vacuum energy density is not new. However, despite the persisting cosmological constant problem, few investigations have focused on this subject. We explore the possibility that the quantum vacuum energy density contributes to the (local) gravitational energy density in the framework of a scale-dependent cosmological constant Λ and Newton’s constant G. This hypothesis has several important consequences, ranging from quantum scale-dependence to the hypothetical prospect of novel experimental insight concerning the quantum origin of cosmological energy density.

Force Metrology with Plane Parallel Plates: Final Design Review and Outlook

“…In combination with 'cold' DM this constitutes the cosmological standard model ΛCDM. However, as the Hubble constant H 0 -being a measure of expansion-obtained from data on the cosmic microwave background at large redshift z, is at significant tension (5σ) with the one obtained from local distance ladder measurements at z < 2.36 and a range of other measurements [17], speculations arise (among others) if Λ is a constant after all [18]. Significant tensions exist not only in measurements of H 0 but also for several other parameters of ΛCDM) [19].…”