The issue of Dark Energy in String Theory

TL;DR

This paper reviews the challenges that dark energy poses to string theory, discussing recent astrophysical data indicating an accelerating universe and the dominance of dark energy, and explores potential research directions for resolving this issue.

Contribution

It provides a concise overview of the problems dark energy presents to string theory and suggests possible research avenues for addressing these challenges.

Findings

Universe is currently accelerating

Dark energy constitutes over 70% of cosmic energy

String theory faces significant challenges explaining dark energy

Abstract

Recent astrophysical observations, pertaining to either high-redshift supernovae or cosmic microwave background temperature fluctuations, as those measured recently by the WMAP satellite, provide us with data of unprecedented accuracy, pointing towards two (related) facts: (i) our Universe is accelerated at present, and (ii) more than 70 % of its energy content consists of an unknown substance, termed dark energy, which is believed responsible for its current acceleration. Both of these facts are a challenge to String theory. In this review I outline briefly the challenges, the problems and possible avenues for research towards a resolution of the Dark Energy issue in string theory.