Dark Energy and the False Vacuum

Abstract

In this talk, I will present highlights of a recent model of dark energy and dark matter in which the present universe is ``trapped'' in a {\em false vacuum} described by the potential of an axion-like scalar field (the acceleron) which is related to a new strong interaction gauge sector, $SU(2{)}_Z$, characterized by a scale ${\Lambda }_Z\sim 3\times 10^{-3}eV$. This false vacuum model mimicks the $\Lambda CDM$ scenario. In addition, there are several additional implications such as a new mechanism for leptogenesis coming from the decay of a ``messenger'' scalar field, as well as a new model of ``low-scale'' inflation whose inflaton is the ``radial'' partner of the acceleron.

Comments: 6 pages. To appear in the Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Quantum Theories and Renormalization Group in Gravity and Cosmology (IRGAC 2006), Barcelona, July 11-15 (2006)