Gravity as the breakdown of conformal invariance
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Amelino-Camelia, G
Arzano, M
Gubitosi, G
Magueijo, J
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
In this paper, we propose that at the beginning of the universe gravity existed in a limbo either because it was switched off or because it was only conformally coupled to all particles. This picture can be reverse-engineered from the requirement that the cosmological perturbations be (nearly) scale-invariant without the need for inflation. It also finds support in recent results in quantum gravity suggesting that spacetime becomes two-dimensional at super-Planckian energies. We advocate a novel top-down approach to cosmology based on the idea that gravity and the Big Bang Universe are relics from the mechanism responsible for breaking the fundamental conformal invariance. Such a mechanism should leave clear signatures in departures from scale-invariance in the primordial power spectrum and the level of gravity waves generated.
Date Issued
2015-06-17
Date Acceptance
2015-06-01
Citation
International Journal of Modern Physics D, 2015, 24 (12)
ISSN
0218-2718
Publisher
World Scientific Publishing
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Modern Physics D
Volume
24
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
Electronic version of an article published in International Journal of Modern Physics D, 24(12) © 2015 World Scientific Publishing Company
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Cosmology
early universe
conformal invariance
gr-qc
hep-th
Nuclear & Particles Physics
Mathematical Physics
Astronomical And Space Sciences
Quantum Physics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1543002