Creation of a Toy Universe

TL;DR

This paper explores a toy cosmological model based on gauge/gravity duality, illustrating a transition from a gauge theory phase to a stringy phase, with implications for understanding the early universe and big bang physics.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified model connecting gauge theory and string cosmology, analyzing its dynamics and potential relevance for realistic higher-dimensional scenarios.

Findings

The model demonstrates evolution toward the double scaling limit for stringy behavior.

Discussion of fluctuation spectrum of the scalar tachyon.

Features of the model suggest possible insights into early universe physics.

Abstract

General ideas of gauge/gravity duality allow for the possibility of time dependent solutions that interpolate between a perturbative gauge theory phase and a weakly curved string/gravity phase. Such a scenario applied to cosmology would exhibit a non-geometric phase before the big bang. We investigate a toy model for such a cosmology, whose endpoint is the classical limit of the two-dimensional non-critical string. We discuss the basic dynamics of this model, in particular how it evolves toward the double scaling limit required for stringy dynamics. We further comment on the physics that will determine the fluctuation spectrum of the scalar tachyon. Finally, we discuss various features of this model, and what relevance they might have for a more realistic, higher dimensional scenario.