From pre- to post-big bang: an (almost) self-dual cosmological history

TL;DR

This paper explores a string theory-inspired cosmological model where the big bang is replaced by a smooth bounce, featuring a long pre-bounce phase approaching a string vacuum, highlighting duality symmetries.

Contribution

It introduces a non-standard, self-dual cosmological scenario motivated by string dualities, replacing the big bang with a finite-curvature bounce and a prolonged pre-bounce phase.

Findings

Proposes a cosmological model with a big bounce instead of a singularity.

Shows the universe can evolve from an initial string vacuum state.

Highlights the role of duality symmetries in cosmological evolution.

Abstract

We present a short introduction to a non-standard cosmological scenario motivated by the duality symmetries of string theory, in which the big bang singularity is replaced with a "big bounce" at high but finite curvature. The bouncing epoch is prepared by a long (possibly infinitely extended) phase of cosmic evolution, starting from an initial state asymptotically approaching the string perturbative vacuum.