Propagating q-field and q-ball solution

Abstract

One possible solution of the cosmological constant problem involves a so-called q-field, which self-adjusts so as to give a vanishing gravitating vacuum energy density (cosmological constant) in equilibrium. We show that this q-field can manifest itself in other ways. Specifically, we establish a propagating mode (q-wave) in the nontrivial vacuum and find a particular soliton-type solution in flat spacetime, which we call a q-ball by analogy with the well-known Q-ball solution. Both q-waves and q-balls are expected to play a role for the equilibration of the q-field in the very early universe.