In this paper, the generic part of the gauge theory of gravity is derived, based merely on the action principle and on the general principle of relativity. We apply the canonical transformation framework to formulate geometrodynamics as a gauge theory. The starting point of our paper is constituted by the general De Donder-Weyl Hamiltonian of a system of scalar and vector fields, which is supposed to be form-invariant under (global) Lorentz transformations. Following the reasoning of gauge theories, the corresponding locally form-invariant system is worked out by means of canonical transformations. The canonical transformation approach ensures by construction that the form of the action functional is maintained. We thus encounter amended Hamiltonian systems which are form-invariant under arbitrary spacetime transformations. This amended system complies with the general principle of relativity and describes both, the dynamics of the given physical system's fields and their coupling to those quantities which describe the dynamics of the spacetime geometry. In this way, it is unambiguously determined how spin-0 and spin-1 fields couple to the dynamics of spacetime.A term that describes the dynamics of the "free" gauge fields must finally be added to the amended Hamiltonian, as common to all gauge theories, to allow for a dynamic spacetime geometry. The choice of this "dynamics" Hamiltonian is outside of the scope of gauge theory as presented in this paper. It accounts for the remaining indefiniteness of any gauge theory of gravity and must be chosen "by hand" on the basis of physical reasoning. The final Hamiltonian of the gauge theory of gravity is shown to be at least quadratic in the conjugate momenta of the gauge fields-this is beyond the Einstein-Hilbert theory of general relativity.

We recall how nearly half a century ago the proposal was made to explore the structure of the quantum vacuum using slow heavy-ion collisions. Pursuing this topic we review the foundational concept of spontaneous vacuum decay accompanied by observable positron emission in heavy-ion collisions and describe the related theoretical developments in strong fields QED.

The covariant canonical transformation theory applied to the relativistic Hamiltonian theory of classical matter fields in dynamical space-time yields a novel (first order) gauge field theory of gravitation. The emerging field equations necessarily embrace a quadratic Riemann term added to Einstein's linear equation. The quadratic term endows space-time with inertia generating a dynamic response of the space-time geometry to deformations relative to (Anti) de Sitter geometry. A "deformation parameter" is identified, the inverse dimensionless coupling constant governing the relative strength of the quadratic invariant in the Hamiltonian, and directly observable via the deceleration parameter q0. The quadratic invariant makes the system inconsistent with Einstein's constant cosmological term, Λ = const. In the Friedman model this inconsistency is resolved with the scaling ansatz of a "cosmological function", Λ(a), where a is the scale parameter of the FLRW metric. The cosmological function can be normalized such that with the Λ CDM parameter set the present-day observables, the Hubble constant and the deceleration parameter, can be reproduced. With this parameter set we recover the dark energy scenario in the late epoch. The proof that inflation in the early phase is caused by the "geometrical fluid" representing the inertia of space-time is yet pending, though. Nevertheless, as according to the CCGG theory the present-day cosmological function, identified with the currently observed Λ obs , is a balanced mix of two contributions. These are the (A)dS curvature plus the residual vacuum energy of space-time and matter. The curvature term is proportional to the deformation parameter given by the coupling strength of the quadratic Riemann term. This allows for a fresh look at the Cosmological Constant Problem that plagues the standard Einstein-Friedman cosmology.

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The cosmological implications of the covariant canonical gauge theory of gravity (CCGG) are investigated. We deduce that, in a metric-compatible geometry, the requirement of covariant conservation of matter invokes torsion of space-time. In the Friedman model, this leads to a scalar field built from contortion and the metric with the property of dark energy, which transforms the cosmological constant to a time-dependent function. Moreover, the quadratic, scale-invariant Riemann–Cartan term in the CCGG Lagrangian endows space-time with kinetic energy, and in the field equations adds a geometrical curvature correction to Einstein gravity. Applying in the Friedman model the standard $$\Lambda \hbox {CDM}$$ Λ CDM parameter set, those equations yield a cosmological field depending just on one additional, dimensionless “deformation” parameter of the theory that determines the strength of the quadratic term, viz. the deviation from the Einstein–Hilbert ansatz. Moreover, the apparent curvature of the universe differs from the actual curvature parameter of the metric. The numerical analysis in that parameter space yields three cosmology types: (1) a bounce universe starting off from a finite scale followed by a steady inflation, (2) a singular Big Bang universe undergoing a secondary inflation–deceleration phase and (3) a solution similar to standard cosmology but with a different temporal profile. The common feature of all scenarios is the graceful exit to the current dark energy era. The value of the deformation parameter can be deduced by comparing theoretical calculations with observations, namely with the SNeIa Hubble diagram and the deceleration parameter. That comparison implies a considerable admixture of scale-invariant quadratic gravity to Einstein gravity. This theory also sheds new light on the resolution of the cosmological constant problem and of the Hubble tension.