Towards String Theory models of DeSitter Space and early Universe Cosmology

TL;DR

This paper explores potential string theory models for de Sitter space and early universe cosmology, focusing on analytic continuations of Liouville theory and dualities involving higher spin gravity.

Contribution

It proposes new avenues for formulating string theory on de Sitter space by analyzing Liouville theory and dualities with higher spin theories, advancing understanding of quantum gravity in expanding universes.

Findings

Progress in understanding Liouville theory's analytic continuation

Insights into gauge fixing in the timelike regime

Connections between Chern-Simons matter duals and de Sitter space

Abstract

String theory is arguably the best candidate for a theory of quantum gravity and unified interactions. Reconciling Einstein's theory of General Relativity with Quantum Mechanics. The theory however is best understood on Minkowski and Anti-de Sitter space-times, and not on exponentially expanding space-times with positive cosmological constant, like our own universe. There is still no satisfactory formulation of String Theory on these so called asymptotically de Sitter space times. In this thesis I will discuss certain avenues of progress towards a String Theory formulation of de Sitter space-times. Specifically, how understanding of the analytic continuations of Liouville Theory and how to gauge-fix it in the Timelike regime will aid in the understanding of the proposed FRW-CFT duality of de Sitter space. It is also discussed how non-trivial topology effects proposed Chern-Simons Matter duals of Vasiliev Higher Spin gravity theories which are important in the dS-CFT description of de Sitter Space.