Orbifold Physics and de Sitter Spacetime

TL;DR

The paper suggests embedding topologically non-trivial de Sitter spacetimes in anti-de Sitter orbifold bulk to study their string theory properties, indicating potential constraints on complex topologies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to analyze non-trivial de Sitter topologies via anti-de Sitter orbifold embeddings, providing insights into string theory constraints.

Findings

String theory may exclude complex de Sitter topologies.

Simplest de Sitter topologies remain compatible with string theory.

Embedding in AdS orbifolds offers a new perspective on de Sitter spacetime analysis.

Abstract

It is generally believed the way to resolve the black hole information paradox in string theory is to embed the black hole in anti-deSitter spacetime -- without of course claiming that Schwarzschild-AdS is a realistic spacetime. Here we propose that, similarly, the best way to study topologically non-trivial versions of de Sitter spacetime from a stringy point of view is to embed them in an anti-de Sitter orbifold bulk, again without claiming that this is literally how de Sitter arises in string theory. Our results indicate that string theory may rule out the more complex spacetime topologies which are compatible with local de Sitter geometry, while still allowing the simplest versions.