Scale Factor Duality and Hidden Supersymmetry in Scalar--Tensor Cosmology

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that certain scalar-tensor cosmologies possess a classical scale factor duality, which corresponds to a hidden supersymmetry at the quantum level, and provides exact solutions to the quantum constraints.

Contribution

It reveals a novel connection between classical duality symmetries and hidden supersymmetry in scalar-tensor cosmology, extending to vacuum Einstein gravity.

Findings

Classical scale factor duality invariance in Brans-Dicke cosmology.

Identification of hidden N=2 supersymmetry at the quantum level.

Exact solutions to supersymmetric quantum constraints.

Abstract

It is shown that spatially flat, isotropic cosmologies derived from the Brans--Dicke gravity action exhibit a scale factor duality invariance. This classical duality is then associated with a hidden $N=2$ supersymmetry at the quantum level and the supersymmetric quantum constraints are solved exactly. These symmetries also apply to a dimensionally reduced version of vacuum Einstein gravity.