On Quantum Gravity and the Dark Energy Problem

Abstract

After reviewing the cosmological constant/dark energy problem(s), I will present a dynamical mechanism wheiren a gap forms turning the unstable perturbative gravitational vacuum into a non-perturbative vacuum. Similar to the BCS theory this mechanism reflects the formation of Cooper-pairs which can cancel the would be large cosmological constant. Furthermore, when this mechanism is forumlated in the Ashtekar-Sen variables the cosmological constant problem bears close semblance to the strong CP problem in QCD. Open issues with this approach will also be addresssed.