Consistent Asymptotic Scalar Wavefunction in de Sitter Space

TL;DR

This paper computes the late-time wavefunction of self-interacting scalar fields in de Sitter space and analyzes its self-consistency with de Sitter symmetry, revealing conditions under which the approximation holds.

Contribution

It provides an approximate late-time wavefunction for scalar fields in de Sitter space and examines its self-consistency with the background symmetry.

Findings

Wavefunction dominates for large conformal times beyond a critical value.

Self-consistency depends on the matter fields and spacetime dimension.

Back reaction effects are analyzed for symmetry preservation.

Abstract

The approximate late conformal time wavefunction for self-interacting scalar quantum fields in de Sitter space is computed. It dominates for conformal times much larger than a certain critical value, $\eta=\eta_{\text{crit}}$ which depends on the dimension and on other characteristics of the matter fields. Its self-consistency (i.e., whether the back reaction is consistent with the de Sitter symmetry) is analyzed.