In this paper we study the description of the Universe based on the low energy superstring theory modified by the Loop Quantum Gravity effects.This approach was proposed by De Risi et al. in the Phys. Rev. D {\bf 76} (2007) 103531. We show that in the contrast with the string motivated pre-Big Bang scenario, the cosmological realisation of the $t$-duality transformation is not necessary to avoid an initial singularity. In the model considered the universe starts its evolution in the vacuum phase at time $t\to - \infty$. In this phase the scale factor $a\to 0$, energy density $ρ\to 0$ and coupling of the interactions $g^2_s \to 0$. After this stage the universe evolves to the non-singular hot Big Bang phase $ρ\to ρ_{\text{max}} < \infty$. Then the standard classical universe emerges. During the whole evolution the scale factor increases monotonically. We solve this model analytically. We also propose and solve numerically the model with an additional dilaton potential in which the universe starts the evolution from the asymptotically free vacuum phase $g^2_s \to 0$ and then evolves non-singularly to the emerging dark energy dominated phase with the saturated coupling constant $g^2_s \to \text{const}$.
We review recent developments in the field of string cosmology with particular emphasis on open problems having to do mainly with geometric asymptotics and singularities. We discuss outstanding issues in a variety of currently popular themes, such as tree-level string cosmology asymptotics, higher-order string correction effects, M-theory cosmology, braneworlds, and finally ambient cosmology.
A generalized second law in string cosmology accounts for geometric and quantum entropy in addition to ordinary sources of entropy. The proposed generalized second law forbids singular string cosmologies, under certain conditions, and forces a graceful exit transition from dilaton-driven inflation by bounding curvature and dilaton kinetic energy.
An inhomogeneous version of pre--Big Bang cosmology emerges, within string theory, from quite generic initial conditions, provided they lie deeply inside the weak-coupling, low-curvature regime. Large-scale homogeneity, flatness, and isotropy appear naturally as late-time outcomes of such an evolution.
We discuss the generation and evolution of density perturbations during the large curvature phase of string cosmology. We find that perturbations in the scalar components of the metric evolve with cosmic time as $\exp (γH_st)$ where $H_s$ is the Hubble constant during the string phase and $γ$ is a constant which is determined by an algebraic equation involving all orders in the string coupling $α'$. The seed for the perturbations can be provided by massive string modes.
The Wheeler-De Witt equation of type IIB quantum string cosmology compactified with constant internal H-fluxes on a 6-torus, whose volume modulus is frozen, is solved under the WKB approximation. The spontaneous symmetry breaking of the S-duality group by H-fluxes is also examined.
We introduce network science as a framework for studying the string landscape. Two large networks of string geometries are constructed, where nodes are extra-dimensional six-manifolds and edges represent topological transitions between them. We show that a standard bubble cosmology model on the networks has late-time behavior determined by the largest eigenvector of $-(\mathbf{L} + \mathbf{D})$, where $\mathbf{L}$ and $\mathbf{D}$ are the Laplacian and degree matrices of the networks, which provides a dynamical mechanism for vacuum selection in the string landscape.
In this contribution to the proceedings of the Conference on Modern Physics of Compact Stars and Relativistic Gravity in Yerevan, Armenia (September 18-21, 2013), I review recent work attempting to give a fundamental definition to string evolution in a dynamical, fully compact universe, and present a sketch of how the resulting formalism can be used for addressing questions of phenomenological significance in the field of string gas cosmology.
The possibility that the vacuum energy density $ρ_Λ$ is, indeed, varying in time, has been investigated lately from the running vacuum models perspective. Motivated by such models, in the present work, we relate the decaying vacuum energy $ρ_Λ(t)$ with a scalar field $ϕ$. We derive the equations of motion from such a premise and implement the first-order formalism in order to obtain analytical solutions to the cosmological parameters. We show that those are in agreement with recent Planck observational data. We discuss the physical consequences of having $ρ_Λ(t)$ related to $ϕ$.
We discuss in detail how to consistently impose boundary conditions in quantum string cosmology. Since a classical time parameter is absent in quantum gravity, such conditions must be imposed with respect to intrinsic variables. Constructing wave packets for minisuperspace models from different tree-level string effective actions, we explain in particular the meaning of a transition between ``pre-big-bang" and ``post-big-bang" branches. This leads to a scenario different from previous considerations.
If string theory controls physics at the string scale, the dynamics of the early universe before the GUT era will be governed by the low-energy string equations of motion. Studying these equations for FRW spacetimes, we find that depending on the initial conditions when the stringy era starts, and on the time when it ends, there are a wide variety of qualitatively distinct types of evolution. We classify these, and present the general solution to the equations of motion.
Cosmological solutions are obtained by continuation of black D-brane solutions into the region between the horizons. It is investigated whether one can find exponential expansion when probing the cosmology with D-branes. A unique configuration exhibiting exponential expansion is discussed.
String cosmology solutions are examined in a generalized phase-space including sources representing arbitrary corrections to lowest order string-dilaton-gravity effective action. We find a set of necessary conditions for a graceful exit transition from a dilaton-driven inflationary phase to a radiation dominated era. We show that sources allowing such a transition have to violate energy conditions similar to those appearing in singularity theorems of general relativity. Since familiar classical sources, excepting spatial curvature, obey these energy conditions we conclude that a generic gracef…
In present paper the gravitational effect of spontaneous symmetry breaking vacuum energy density is investigated by subtracting the flat space-time contribution from the energy in the curved space-time. We found that the remain effective energy-momentum tensor is too small to cause the acceleration of the universe although it satisfies the characteristic of the dark energy. However it could provide a promising explanation to the puzzle why the gravitational effect produced by the huge symmetry breaking vacuum energy in the electroweak theory has not been observed, since it has a sufficient sma…
Families of anisotropic and inhomogeneous string cosmologies containing non-trivial dilaton and axion fields are derived by applying the global symmetries of the string effective action to a generalized Einstein-Rosen metric. The models exhibit a two-dimensional group of Abelian isometries. In particular, two classes of exact solutions are found that represent inhomogeneous generalizations of the Bianchi type VI_h cosmology. The asymptotic behaviour of the solutions is investigated and further applications are briefly discussed.
Several time dependent backgrounds, with perfect fluid matter, can be used to construct solutions of Einstein equations in the presence of a negative cosmological constant along with some matter sources. In this work we focus on the non-vacuum Kasner-AdS geometry and its solitonic generalization. To characterize these space-times, we provide ways to embed them in higher dimensional flat space-times. General space-like geodesics are then studied and used to compute the two point boundary correlators within the geodesic approximation.
Compactification of type IIB theory on torus, in the presence of fluxes, is considered. The reduced effective action is expressed in manifestly S-duality invariant form. Cosmological solutions of the model are discussed in several cases in the Pre-Big Bang scenario.
A broad class of two-dimensional loop-corrected dilaton gravity models exhibit cosmological solutions that interpolate between the string perturbative vacuum and a background with asymptotically flat metric and linearly growing dilaton. The curvature singularities of the corresponding tree-level solutions are smoothed out, but no branch-change occurs. Thus, even in the presence of a non-perturbative potential, the system is not attracted by physically interesting fixed points with constant dilaton, and the exit problem of string cosmology persists.
This note deals with the possibility of non-trivial cosmological solutions given by quantum corrections in the framework of the Jackiw-Telteiboim model to the bidimensional gravity. The resulting model shows that the quantum corrections transform, in some cases, the classical solution into a more interesting one with initial singularity.
String gas cosmology is a string theory-based approach to early universe cosmology which is based on making use of robust features of string theory such as the existence of new states and new symmetries. A first goal of string gas cosmology is to understand how string theory can effect the earliest moments of cosmology before the effective field theory approach which underlies standard and inflationary cosmology becomes valid. String gas cosmology may also provide an alternative to the current standard paradigm of cosmology, the inflationary universe scenario. Here, the current status of strin…
The dynamics of the early universe may have been profoundly influenced by spatial anisotropies. A search for such backgrounds in the context of string cosmology has uncovered the existence of an entire class of (spatatially) homogeneous but not necessarily isotropic space-times, analogous to the class of Bianchi-types in general relativity. Configurations with vanishing cosmological constant but non-vanishing dilaton and antisymmetric field are explicitly found for all types. This is a new class of solutions, whose isotropy limits reproduce all known and, further, all possible FRW-type of mode…
`Old' String Theory is a theory of one-dimensional extended objects, whose vibrations correspond to excitations of various target-space field modes including gravity. In these lectures I will give an introduction to low-energy Effective Target-Space Actions derived from conformal invariance conditions of the underlying sigma models in string theory, discuss cosmology, emphasizing the role of the dilaton field in inducing inflationary scenaria and in general expanding string universes. Specifically, I shall analyse some exact solutions of string theory with a linear dilaton, and discuss their r…
The two-loop (order $α'$) $β$-function equations, which are equivalent to the equations of motion of $α'$-corrected string effective action, are considered for anisotropic homogeneous space-times. These equations are solved for all Bianchi-type models in two schemes of effective action, namely $R^2$ and Gauss-Bonnet schemes with zero cosmological constant and then the metric, dilaton and $B$-field are found at $α'$ perturbative corrections.
We study the quantum cosmology of the 2D Hawking-Page massless scalar-field model and the homogeneous and isotropic dilation-axion string cosmology.For both models we find new exact solutions for the Wheeler-DeWitt equation and for the supersymmetric wave function equations. We show that the Wheeler-DeWitt equations for the Hawking-Page model and the axion-dilaton string cosmology are invariant under a one-parameter and two-parameter squeezed transformations, respectively. These results allow to find new solutions for the wave functions of these systems at the quantum cosmology level. Also, we…
We generalize a five dimensional black hole solution of low energy effective string theory to arbitrary constant spatial curvature. After interchanging the signature of time and radius we reduce the 5d solution to four dimensions and obtain that way a four dimensional isotropic cosmological space time. The solution contains a dilaton, modulus field and torsion. Several features of the solution are discussed.
Classical string cosmology consists of two branches related to each other by scale-factor duality: a super-inflation branch and a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) branch. Curvature and string coupling singularity separates the two branches, hence posing `graceful exit problem' to super-inflationary string cosmology. In an exactly soluble two-dimensional compactification model it is shown that quantum back reaction retards curvature and string coupling growth and connects the super-inflation branch to the FRW branch without encountering a singularity. This may offer an attractive solution to th…
Within two specific string cosmology scenarios --differing in the way the pre- and post-big bang phases are joined-- we compute the size and spectral slope of various types of cosmologically amplified quantum fluctuations that arise in generic compactifications of heterotic string theory. By further imposing that these perturbations become the dominant source of energy at the onset of the radiation era, we obtain physical bounds on the background's moduli, and discuss the conditions under which both a (quasi-) scale-invariant spectrum of axionic perturbations and sufficiently large seeds for t…
To support the validity of a factorizable metric ansatz used in string cosmology, we investigate a toy problem in RSI model. For this purpose, we revise the gradient expansion method to conform to the factorizable metric ansatz. By solving the 5-dimensional equations of motion and substituting the results into the action, we obtain the 4-dimensional effective action. It turns out that the resultant action is equivalent to that obtained by assuming the factorizable metric ansatz. Our analysis gives the support of the validity of the factorizable metric ansatz.
We introduce a Wheeler-De Witt approach to quantum cosmology based on the low-energy string effective action, with an effective dilaton potential included to account for non-perturbative effects and, possibly, higher-order corrections. We classify, in particular, four different classes of scattering processes in minisuperspace, and discuss their relevance for the solution of the graceful exit problem.
Production of spin 1/2 fermions and gravitinos by the standard mechanism of amplification of quantum fluctuations during the dilaton-driven inflation phase in models of string cosmology is highly suppressed. Constraints on string cosmology models from gravitational production of gravitinos, contrary to expectations, are similar to constraints on other models.
I review some aspects of non-critical strings in connection with Lorentz-Invariance violating approaches to quantum gravity. I also argue how non-critical strings may provide a unifying framework where string Cosmology and quantum gravity may be tackled together.
This is the written version of a talk given at the Santa Barbara Workshop on Supersymmetry in December of 1995. It summarizes a collection of results on superstring cosmology obtained by the author and various collaborators, and contains some speculations about the resolution of the cosmological constant and vacuum selection problems in string theory.
We show that the velocity-dependent forces between parallel fundamental strings moving apart in a D-dimensional spacetime imply an expanding universe in (D-1)-dimensional spacetime.
New Developments in String Gravity and String Cosmology are reported: 1-String driven cosmology and its Predictions. 2-The primordial gravitational wave background in string cosmology. 3-Non-singular string cosmologies from Exact Conformal Field Theories. 4-Quantum Field Theory, String Temperature and the String Phase of de Sitter space-time, 5-Hawking Radiation in String Theory and the String Phase of Black Holes. 6-New Dual Relation between Quantum Field Theory regimes and String regimes in Curved Backgrounds, and the 'QFT/String Tango'. 7- New Coherent String States and Minimal Uncertainty …
The inflationary scenarios suggested by the duality properties of string cosmology in the Brans-Dicke (or String) frame are shown to correspond to accelerated contraction (deflation) when Weyl-transformed to the Einstein frame. We point out that the basic virtues of inflation (solving the flatness and horizon problems, amplifying vacuum fluctuations, etc.) have physically equivalent counterparts in the deflationary (Einstein-frame) picture. This could be the answer to some objections recently raised to superstring cosmology.
We present a brief review of recent advances in string cosmology. Starting with the Dilaton-Moduli Cosmology (known also as the Pre Big Bang), we go on to include the effects of axion fields and address the thorny issue of the Graceful Exit in String Cosmology. This is followed by a review of density perturbations arising in string cosmology and we finish with a brief introduction to the impact moving five branes can have on the Dilaton-Moduli cosmological solutions.
This paper presents a review of the basic, model-independent differences between the pre-big bang scenario, arising naturally in a string cosmology context, and the standard inflationary scenario. We use an unconventional approach in which the introduction of technical details is avoided as much as possible, trying to focus the reader's attention on the main conceptual aspects of both scenarios. The aim of the paper is not to conclude in favour either of one or of the other scenario, but to raise questions that are left to the reader's meditation. Warnings: the paper does not contain equations…
String cosmology models predict a stochastic cosmic background of gravitational waves with a characteristic spectrum. I describe the background, present astrophysical and cosmological bounds on it, and outline how it may be possible to detect it with gravitational wave detectors.
A review is attempted of physical motivations, theoretical and phenomenological aspects, as well as outstanding problems, of the pre-big bang scenario in string cosmology.
This contribution reviews recent work on a new approach to the cosmological constant problem, which starts from the macroscopic behavior of a conserved relativistic microscopic variable q. First, the statics of the vacuum energy density is discussed and, then, the dynamics in a cosmological context.
A string cosmology scenario ("pre-big-bang") postulates that the evolution of the Universe starts from a state of very small curvature and coupling, undergoes a long phase of dilaton-driven kinetic inflation and at some later time joins smoothly standard radiation dominated cosmological evolution, thus giving rise to a singularity free inflationary cosmology. I report on recent progress in understanding some outstanding issues such as initial conditions, graceful exit transition and generation of inhomogeneity perturbations.
We study the evolution of non-linear spherically symmetric inhomogeneities in string cosmology. Friedmann solutions of different spatial curvature are matched to produce solutions which describe the evolution of non-linear density and curvature inhomogeneities. The evolution of bound and unbound inhomogeneities are studied. The problem of primordial black hole formation is discussed in the string cosmological context and the pattern of evolution is determined in the pre- and post-big-bang phases of evolution.
Pre--big bang models of inflation based on string cosmology produce a stochastic gravitational wave background whose spectrum grows with decreasing wavelength, and which may be detectable using interferometers such as LIGO. We point out that the gravitational wave spectrum is closely tied to the density perturbation spectrum, and that the condition for producing observable gravitational waves is very similar to that for producing an observable density of primordial black holes. Detection of both would provide strong support to the string cosmology scenario.
A characteristic spectrum of relic gravitational radiation is produced by a period of ``stringy inflation" in the early universe. This spectrum is unusual, because the energy-density rises rapidly with frequency. We show that correlation experiments with the two gravitational wave detectors being built for the Laser Interferometric Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) could detect this relic radiation, for certain ranges of the parameters that characterize the underlying string cosmology model.
In a Wheeler-de Witt approach to quantum string cosmology, the present state of the Universe arises from the scattering and reflection of the wave function representing the initial string vacuum in superspace. This scenario is described and compared with the more conventional quantum cosmology picture, in which the birth of the Universe is represented as a process of tunnelling "from nothing" in superspace.
I present an outline for cosmological evolution in the framework of string theory with emphasis on a phase of dilaton-driven kinetic inflation. It is shown that a typical background of stochastic gravitational radiation is generated, with strength that may allow its detection in future gravity wave experiments.
It is stressed that the kinematical problems of the standard cosmological model can be solved by a phase of accelerated contraction of the cosmic scale factor. Such a behaviour is only a particular case of a more general ``pre-big-bang" inflationary scenario, arising naturally in a string cosmology context, and driven asymptotically by the free dilaton field without any self-interaction potential and/or vacuum contribution.
I review various aspects of the pre-big-bang scenario and of its main open problems, with emphasis on the role played by the dilaton. Since the dilaton is a compelling consequence of string theory, tests of this scenario are direct tests of string theory and also, more generally, of Planck scale physics.
By allowing for non zero vacuum expectation values for some of the fields that appear in the Hamiltonian constraint of canonical general relativity a time variable, with usual properties, can be identified; the constraint plays the role of the ordinary Hamiltonian. The energy eigenvalues contribute to the variation of the scale parameter similarly to the way matter density does. For a universe described by a superposition of eigenstates or by a thermodynamic ensemble the dominant contribution comes from energy, or equivalently effective matter density, of the same order as the vacuum energy (c…
We briefly review three aspects of string cosmology: (1) the ``stochastic'' approach to the pre-big bang scenario, (2) the presence of chaos in the generic cosmological solutions of the tree-level low-energy effective actions coming out of string theory, and (3) the remarkable link between the latter chaos and the Weyl groups of some hyperbolic Kac-Moody algebras. Talk given at the Francqui Colloquium ``Strings and Gravity: Tying the Forces Together'' (Brussels, October 2001).
Aspects of string cosmology for critical and non-critical strings are discussed emphasizing the necessity to account for the dilaton dynamics for a proper incorporation of ``large - small" duality. This drastically modifies the intuition one has with Einstein's gravity. For example winding modes, even though contribute to energy density, oppose expansion and if not annihilated will stop the expansion. Moreover we find that the radiation dominated era of the standard cosmology emerges quite naturally in string cosmology. Our analysis of non-critical string cosmology provides a reinterpretation …
We consider an ensemble of closed strings in a compact space with stable one cycles and compute the speed of sound resulting from string thermodynamics. Possible applications to the issue of Jeans instability in string gas cosmology are mentioned.
Sufficiently large seeds for generating the observed (inter)galactic magnetic fields emerge naturally in string cosmology from the amplification of electromagnetic vacuum fluctuations due to a dynamical dilaton background. The success of the mechanism depends crucially on two features of the so-called pre-big-bang scenario, an early epoch of dilaton-driven inflation at very small coupling, and a sufficiently long intermediate stringy era preceding the standard radiation-dominated evolution.
In these lectures I review recent attempts to apply string theory to cosmology, including string cosmology and various models of brane cosmology. In addition, the review includes an introduction to inflation as well as a discussion of transplanckian signatures. I also provide a critical discussion of the possible role of holography. The material is based on lectures given in January 2004 at the RTN String School in Barcelona, but also contain some additional material.
We investigate a spatially flat Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker cosmology in which a decaying vacuum term causes matter production at late times. Assuming a decay proportional to the Hubble rate, the ratio of the background energy densities of dark matter and dark energy changes with the cosmic scale factor as $a^{-3/2}$. The intrinsically non-adiabatic two-component perturbation dynamics of this model is reduced to a single second-order equation. Perturbations of the vacuum term are shown to be negligible on scales that are relevant for structure formation. On larger scales, dark-energy p…
String Gas Cosmology is a model of the evolution of the very early universe based on fundamental principles and key new degrees of freedom of string theory which are different from those of point particle field theories. In String Gas Cosmology the universe starts in a quasi-static Hagedorn phase during which space is filled with a gas of highly excited string states. Thermal fluctuations of this string gas lead to an almost scale-invariant spectrum of curvature fluctuations. Thus, String Gas Cosmology is an alternative to cosmological inflation as a theory for the origin of structure in the u…
We study the generation of cosmological perturbations during the Hagedorn phase of string gas cosmology. Using tools of string thermodynamics we provide indications that it may be possible to obtain a nearly scale-invariant spectrum of cosmological fluctuations on scales which are of cosmological interest today. In our cosmological scenario, the early Hagedorn phase of string gas cosmology goes over smoothly into the radiation-dominated phase of standard cosmology, without having a period of cosmological inflation.
After discussing some old (and not-so-old) entropy bounds both for isolated systems and in cosmology, I will argue in favour of a "Hubble entropy bound" holding in the latter context. I will then apply this bound to recent developments in string cosmology, show that it is naturally saturated throughout pre-big bang inflation, and claim that its fulfilment at later times has interesting implications for the exit problem of string cosmology.
In this letter we investigate whether the isotropy problem is naturally solved in inflationary cosmologies inspired by string theory, so called pre-big-bang cosmologies. We find that, in contrast to what happens in the more common 'potential inflation' models, initial anisotropies do not decay during pre-big-bang inflation.
