Moduli as Inflatons in Heterotic M-theory

TL;DR

This paper explores the dynamics and stabilization of moduli in Heterotic M-theory, examining their potential role as inflatons and implications for cosmology, including inflation and the moduli problem.

Contribution

It analyzes moduli stabilization mechanisms in Heterotic M-theory, particularly racetrack scenarios, and investigates their potential to serve as inflatons in cosmological models.

Findings

Identification of flat directions in the scalar potential.

Partial lifting of flat directions via non-perturbative effects.

Discussion on the viability of moduli as inflatons and the moduli problem.

Abstract

We consider different cosmological aspects of Heterotic M-theory. In particular we look at the dynamical behaviour of the two relevant moduli in the theory, namely the length of the eleventh segment (pi rho) and the volume of the internal six manifold (V) in models where supersymmetry is broken by multiple gaugino condensation. We look at different ways to stabilise these moduli, namely racetrack scenarios with or without non-perturbative corrections to the Kahler potential. The existence of different flat directions in the scalar potential, and the way in which they can be partially lifted, is discussed as well as their possible role in constructing a viable model of inflation. Some other implications such as the status of the moduli problem within these models are also studied.