de Sitter as a Resonance

TL;DR

This paper proposes a quantum mechanical framework where de Sitter space is viewed as a resonance, similar to a metastable intermediate state in scattering processes, supported by instanton calculations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel conjecture that de Sitter space can be understood as a resonance in quantum scattering, providing a potential pathway to incorporate it into string theory.

Findings

Resonant poles indicate metastable de Sitter states

Instanton calculations support the resonance conjecture

Framework links de Sitter space to scattering processes

Abstract

A quantum mechanical formulation of de Sitter cosmological spacetimes still eludes string theory. In this paper we conjecture a potentially rigorous framework in which the status of de Sitter space is the same as that of a resonance in a scattering process. We conjecture that transition amplitudes between certain states with asymptotically supersymmetric flat vacua contain resonant poles characteristic metastable intermediate states. A calculation employing constrained instantons illustrates this idea.