Extra Space-Time Dimensions: Towards a Solution to the Cosmological Constant Problem

摘要

We discuss the possibility that the consmological constant problem is solved by raising the number of spatial dimensions a la Kaluza-Klein. In (4+2)-dimensional pure gravity theory with the explicit lambda -term we find classical solutions with vanishing physical cosmological constant and compact 2-dimensions. However, there also exist solutions with the non-vanishing physical lambda -term, and the case lambda sub(phys)=0 is not preferred at the classical level. We conjecture that quantum corrections and/or additional interactions single out the solution with vanishing physical cosmological constant. (Atomindex citation 15:029097)