Symmetric Points in the Landscape as Cosmological Attractors

TL;DR

This paper explores whether symmetric states in the landscape of possible cosmological solutions act as attractors, finding potential significance in supersymmetric theories but not in non-supersymmetric ones.

Contribution

It investigates the role of discrete symmetric states as cosmological attractors within model landscapes, highlighting differences between supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric theories.

Findings

No evidence of symmetric states as attractors in non-supersymmetric theories

States with R symmetries may be attractors in supersymmetric theories

Raises questions about the assumptions in models of eternal inflation

Abstract

In the landscape, if there is to be any prospect of scientific prediction, it is crucial that there be states which are distinguished in some way. The obvious candidates are states which exhibit symmetries. Here we focus on states which exhibit discrete symmetries. Such states are rare, but one can speculate that they are cosmological attractors. We investigate the problem in model landscapes and cosmologies which capture some of the features of candidate flux landscapes. In non-supersymmetric theories we find no evidence that such states might be cosmologically favored. In supersymmetric theories, simple arguments suggest that states which exhibit $R$ symmetries might be. Our considerations lead us to raise questions about some popular models of eternal inflation.