Near-Horizon Virasoro Symmetry and the Entropy of de Sitter Space in Any Dimension

TL;DR

This paper extends a near-horizon symmetry approach to derive the entropy of de Sitter space in any dimension, suggesting a universal conformal field theory framework similar to black hole entropy calculations.

Contribution

It generalizes Carlip's black hole entropy method to de Sitter space across all dimensions, providing a universal symmetry-based derivation.

Findings

Derives de Sitter entropy using near-horizon Virasoro symmetry.

Proposes a universal conformal field theory description for de Sitter horizons.

Suggests implications for understanding horizon thermodynamics in cosmology.

Abstract

De Sitter spacetime is known to have a cosmological horizon that enjoys thermodynamic-like properties similar to those of a black hole horizon. In this note we show that a universal argument can be given for the entropy of de Sitter spacetime in arbitrary dimensions, by generalizing a recent near horizon symmetry plus conformal field theory argument of Carlip for black hole entropy. The implications of this argument are also discussed.