Thoughts on the Vacuum Energy in the Quantum N-Portrait

Abstract

An application of the quantum N-portrait to the Universe is discussed, wherein the space-time geometry is understood as a Bose-Einstein condensate of N soft gravitons. If near or at the critical point of a quantum phase transition, indications are found that the vacuum energy is partly suppressed by 1/N, as being due to quanta not in the condensate state. Time evolution decreases this suppression, which might have implications for cosmic expansion.Comment: 7 pages; revised version to match published versio