Asymptotic scalar field cosmology in string theory

Aug 18, 2022
36 pages
Published in:
  • JHEP 10 (2022) 018
  • Published: Oct 4, 2022
e-Print:

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Abstract: (Springer)
Asymptotic (late-time) cosmology depends on the asymptotic (infinite-distance) limits of scalar field space in string theory. Such limits feature an exponentially decaying potential V ~ exp(−cϕ) with corresponding Hubble scale H ~ ϕ˙2+2V \sqrt{{\dot{\phi}}^2+2V} ~ exp(−λHϕ_{Hϕ}), and at least one tower of particles whose masses scale as m ~ exp(−λϕ), as required by the Distance Conjecture. In this paper, we provide evidence that these coefficients satisfy the inequalities (d1)/(d2) \sqrt{\left(d-1\right)/\left(d-2\right)} ≥ λH_{H}≥ λlightest_{lightest}≥ 1/d2 \sqrt{d-2} in d spacetime dimensions, where λlightest_{lightest} is the λ coefficient of the lightest tower. This means that at late times, as the scalar field rolls to ϕ → ∞, the low-energy theory remains a d-dimensional FRW cosmology with decelerated expansion, the light towers of particles predicted by the Distance Conjecture remain at or above the Hubble scale, and both the strong energy condition and the dominant energy condition are satisfied.
Note:
  • v2: 36 pages, 5 figures, matches publication version
  • String and Brane Phenomenology
  • String Duality
  • field theory: scalar
  • mass: scale
  • any-dimensional
  • expansion: deceleration
  • cosmological model
  • strong-energy condition
  • Robertson-Walker
  • string model