A primer on the ekpyrotic scenario

TL;DR

This paper introduces the ekpyrotic scenario within brane cosmology, comparing it to inflationary and pre-big bang models, and discusses its challenges and features as an alternative explanation for the early universe.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive, self-contained overview of the ekpyrotic scenario, highlighting its differences from other primordial universe models and discussing its specific issues.

Findings

Provides a detailed introduction to brane cosmology.

Offers a qualitative comparison of cosmological scenarios.

Discusses problems associated with the ekpyrotic scenario.

Abstract

This is an introduction to the ekpyrotic scenario, with an emphasis on the two contexts of brane cosmology and primordial universe scenarios. A self-contained introduction to brane cosmology and a qualitative overview and comparison of the inflationary, pre-big bang and ekpyrotic scenarios are given as background. The ekpyrotic scenario is then presented in more detail, stressing various problems.