Abstract
Starting from the proviso that general relativity is the valid theory of gravitation, we invoke a novel line of thought that assigns to matter the intrinsic property of permanent space emission. With this property, dark energy is seen as a property of matter. According to these thoughts, we set up a matter model and derive its equation of state. Both matter and volume expansion remain tightly linked through the energy-momentum conservation law and the key-assumption of strict proportionality of the respective energy densities in time, associated with a two-component fluid model. In essence, the so-introduced 'Space Production Model' (SPM) posits that both 'matter' and 'dark energy' are two manifestations of the same entity. One realization of SPM leads to a fluid analogy of a scalar field matter model that is minimally coupled to gravity, and that resides in permanent virial equilibrium. This latter property of SPM implies a constant ratio of \(1/3\) of matter energy and \(2/3\) of dark energy in agreement with current observations. We discuss the resulting expansion and acceleration laws that occur within homogeneous cosmology, as well as some consequences for inhomogeneous cosmology. While SPM leads to expansion in the homogeneous case, it also allows for contraction in the inhomogeneous case. In both cases SPM implies a stationary state that may arise after a relaxation period of inflation. While not discussed here, the proposal that matter and space are, in the SPM sense, contingent one upon the other could have implications beyond cosmology.