Towards causal patch physics in dS/CFT

TL;DR

This paper reviews progress towards a holographic quantum-gravitational description within de Sitter space using higher-spin gravity and elliptic de Sitter space, aiming to understand physics inside a cosmological horizon.

Contribution

It combines higher-spin gravity models with elliptic de Sitter space to advance the dS/CFT correspondence and aims to develop a full holographic description of quantum gravity in de Sitter space.

Findings

Higher-spin gravity provides a workable dS/CFT model in 3+1 dimensions.

Elliptic de Sitter space simplifies the holographic approach.

Progress in quantum field theory on elliptic de Sitter space supports the program.

Abstract

This is a status report on a research program aimed at obtaining quantum-gravitational physics inside a cosmological horizon through dS/CFT, i.e. through a holographic description at past/future infinity of de Sitter space. The program aims to bring together two main elements. The first is the observation by Anninos, Hartman and Strominger that Vasiliev's higher-spin gravity provides a working model for dS/CFT in 3+1 dimensions. The second is the proposal by Parikh, Savonije and Verlinde that dS/CFT may prove more tractable if one works in so-called "elliptic" de Sitter space - a folded-in-half version of global de Sitter where antipodal points have been identified. We review some relevant progress concerning quantum field theory on elliptic de Sitter space, higher-spin gravity and its holographic duality with a free vector model. We present our reasons for optimism that the approach outlined here will lead to a full holographic description of quantum (higher-spin) gravity in the causal patch of a de Sitter observer.