Les Houches Lectures on De Sitter Space

TL;DR

This paper provides an accessible overview of de Sitter space, covering its classical geometry, quantum field theory aspects, and the role of conformal symmetry in the dS/CFT correspondence, with new derivations of boundary conditions.

Contribution

It offers a pedagogical introduction to de Sitter quantum gravity, including a detailed derivation of asymptotically de Sitter boundary conditions and the role of conformal symmetry.

Findings

Classical geometry of de Sitter space explained

Quantum field theory properties like temperature and entropy discussed

Asymptotic conformal symmetry and boundary conditions derived

Abstract

These lectures present an elementary discussion of some background material relevant to the problem of de Sitter quantum gravity. The first two lectures discuss the classical geometry of de Sitter space and properties of quantum field theory on de Sitter space, especially the temperature and entropy of de Sitter space. The final lecture contains a pedagogical discussion of the appearance of the conformal group as an asymptotic symmetry group, which is central to the dS/CFT correspondence. A (previously lacking) derivation of asymptotically de Sitter boundary conditions is also given.