Dark Energy as a Signature of Extra Dimensions

Abstract

One of the most important and surprising discoveries in cosmology in recent years is the realization that our Universe is dominated by a mysterious dark energy, which leads to an accelerating expansion of space-time. A simple generalization of the standard Friedmann-Robertson-Walker equations based on General Relativity and the Cosmological Principles with the inclusion of a number of closed extra dimensions reproduces the currently observed data on dark energy, without the introduction of any cosmological constant or new particles. In particular, with a few extra dimensions, we obtain the redshift dependence of the deceleration parameter, the dark energy equation of state, as well as the age of the Universe in agreement with data, with essentially no free parameter. This model predicts that the extra dimensions have been compactified throughout the cosmic history, and it therefore suggests that signals from early Universe may give promising signatures of extra dimensions.