CosMIn: The solution to the cosmological constant problem

Abstract

The current acceleration of the universe can be modeled in terms of a cosmological constant Λ. We show that the extremely small value of ΛL²_P ≈ 3.4×10^-122 , the holy grail of theoretical physics, can be understood in terms of a new, dimensionless, conserved number Cosmic Mode Index (CosMIn), which counts the number of modes crossing the Hubble radius during the three phases of evolution of the universe. Theoretical considerations suggest that N ≈ 4π. This single postulate leads us to the correct, observed numerical value of the cosmological constant! This approach also provides a unified picture of cosmic evolution relating the early inflationary phase to the late accelerating phase.