Phantom matter and vacuum energy: cosmological implications

Abstract

While the vacuum energy and the cosmological constant are thought to be related, the exact connection is not well understood. In this work, we will consider the equation of state of the vacuum and other cosmic fluids potentially relevant for the description of the dark energy in the universe, in particular that of ‘phantom matter’, which is different from both dark matter and phantom dark energy. It is related to a form of false vacuum energy producing positive pressure, as ordinary matter (hence its name), but in contrast negative energy density. Some theoretical scenarios will be considered and also possible phenomenological implications.