http://arxiv.org/abs/1007.3150
Quantum Corrections in the Group Field Theory Formulation of the EPRL/FK Models
Thomas Krajewski, Jacques Magnen, Vincent Rivasseau, Adrian Tanasa, Patrizia Vitale
35 pages, 5 figures
(Submitted on 19 Jul 2010)
"We investigate the group field theory formulation of the EPRL/FK spin foam models. These models aim at a dynamical, i.e. non-topological formulation of 4D quantum gravity. We introduce a saddle point method for general group field theory amplitudes and compare it with existing results, in particular for a second order correction to the EPRL/FK propagator."
http://arxiv.org/abs/1007.3086
A New Solution of The Cosmological Constant Problems
John D. Barrow, Douglas J. Shaw
5 pages
(Submitted on 19 Jul 2010)
"We extend the usual gravitational action principle by promoting the bare cosmological constant (CC) from a parameter to a field which can take many possible values. Variation leads to a new integral constraint equation which determines the classical value of the effective CC that dominates the wave function of the universe. In a Friedmann background cosmology with observed matter and radiation content the expected value of the effective CC, is calculated from measurable quantities to be O(t
U-2)~ 10
-122 (in natural units), as observed, where t_U is the present age of the universe. Any application of our model produces a falsifiable prediction for Lambda in terms of other measurable quantities. This leads to a specific prediction for the observed spatial curvature parameter of Omega
k0 = 5.2 x 10
-5, which is of the magnitude expected if inhomogeneities have an inflationary origin. This explanation of the CC requires no fine tunings, extra dark energy fields, or Bayesian selection in a multiverse."
Brief mention:
http://arxiv.org/abs/1007.2875
Unstable growth of curvature perturbation in non-singular bouncing cosmologies
BingKan Xue, Paul J. Steinhardt
4 pages, 2 figures
(Submitted on 16 Jul 2010)
"We consider non-singular bouncing cosmologies, such as the new ekpyrotic model,..."
http://arxiv.org/abs/1007.2971
Reasoning by analogy: attempts to solve the cosmological constant paradox
Rafael A. Porto, A. Zee
4 pages. To appear in Proceedings of the Conference in Honor of Murray Gell-Mann's 80th Birthday
(Submitted on 18 Jul 2010)
http://arxiv.org/abs/1007.2873
Is There Unification in the 21st Century?
Yuan K. Ha
Lecture delivered in Conference in Honor of Murray Gell-Mann's 80th Birthday, February 24 - 26, 2010.
(Submitted on 16 Jul 2010)