Cosmic acceleration from topological fluctuations of quantum spacetime

Title

Cosmic acceleration from topological fluctuations of quantum spacetime

Creator

Kavya, N.S.; Mishra, Sai Swagat; Sahoo, P.K.; Capozziello, Salvatore

Description

The observed late-time acceleration of the Universe challenges our understanding of gravity and the quantum vacuum. We investigate the framework of Topological Dark Energy, where cosmic acceleration emerges not from a fundamental cosmological constant or exotic fields, but from the topological structure of quantum spacetime. In this picture, the vacuum is a dynamic spacetime foam in which gravitational instantons-non-perturbative configurations in Euclidean quantum gravity-nucleate and alter global topology. The cumulative effect of these processes, coupled to macroscopic gravity through the Gauss-Bonnet invariant, yields a dynamical effective cosmological constant, ?eff. Its sign and magnitude are determined by the statistical ensemble of instantons, allowing the dark energy equation of state to evolve across the phantom divide. By embedding the Topological Dark Energy in a FriedmannLemareRobertsonWalker background, we derive its background and linear perturbative cosmological dynamics and confront the model with DESI DR2 BAO, Union3 supernova, and Planck CMB data. The results show that Topological Dark Energy is observationally viable, reproducing key features of the expansion history while offering a theoretically motivated alternative to ?CDM. 2026 Elsevier B.V.

Source

Journal of High Energy Astrophysics;Volume;53;Issue;;Article No.;100621;

Date

01-01-2026

Publisher

Elsevier B.V.

Subject

Accelerated expansion; CMB; DESI BAO; Euclidean quantum gravity; Topological dark energy

Coverage

Kavya N.S., Center for Mathematical Needs, Department of Mathematics, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru 560029, India; Mishra S.S., Department of Mathematics, School of CS & AI, SR University, Telangana, Warangal, 506371, India; Sahoo P.K., Department of Mathematics, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Kapra Mandal, Medchal District, Telangana, 500078, India; Capozziello S., Dipartimento di Fisica E Pancini, Universitdegli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia Edificio 6, Napoli, I-80126, Italy, Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Via Mezzocannone 4, Napoli, I-80134, Italy, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare Sezione di Napoli, Via Cinthia, Napoli, I-80126, Italy

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISSN: 22144048;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jheap.2026.100621

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105036332356?origin=resultslist