Scale Invariance and Vacuum Energy

Abstract

The possibility of mass in the context of scale-invariant, generally covariant theories, is discussed. Scale invariance is considered in the context of a gravitational theory where the action, in the first order formalism, is of the form $S = \int L_{1} \Phi d^4x$ + $\int L_{2}\sqrt{-g}d^4x$ where $\Phi$ is a density built out of degrees of freedom independent of the metric. For global scale invariance, a "dilaton" $\phi$ has to be introduced, with non-trivial potentials $V(\phi)$ = $f_{1}e^{\alpha\phi}$ in $L_1$ and $U(\phi)$ = $f_{2}e^{2\alpha\phi}$ in $L_2$. This leads to non-trivial mass generation and a potential for $\phi$ which is interesting for new inflation. Scale invariant mass terms for fermions lead to a possible explanation of the present day accelerated universe and of cosmic coincidences.