We discuss the bulk Casimir effect (effective potential) for a conformal or massive scalar when the bulk represents five-dimensional anti–de Sitter (AdS) or de Sitter (dS) space with one or two four-dimensional dS branes, which may correspond to our Universe. Using zeta regularization, the interesting conclusion is reached that for both bulks in the one-brane limit the effective potential corresponding to the massive or to the conformal scalar is zero. The radion potential in the presence of quantum corrections is found. It is demonstrated that both the dS and the AdS braneworlds may be stabilized by using the Casimir force only. A brief study indicates that bulk quantum effects are relevant for brane cosmology, because they do deform the de Sitter brane. They may also provide a natural mechanism yielding a decrease of the four-dimensional cosmological constant on the physical brane of the two-brane configuration.

• Received 27 September 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.67.063515