No Arabic abstract
In this review article, we first discuss a possible regularization of the big bang curvature singularity of the standard Friedmann cosmology, where the curvature singularity is replaced by a spacetime defect. We then consider the hypothesis that a new physics phase gave rise to this particular spacetime defect. Specifically, we set out on an explorative calculation using the IIB matrix model, which has been proposed as a particular formulation of nonperturbative superstring theory (M-theory).
We study M-theory compactification on ${mathbb{T}^7/ mathbb{Z}_2^3}$ in the presence of a seven-flux, metric fluxes and KK monopoles. The effective four-dimensional supergravity has seven chiral multiplets whose couplings are specified by the $G_2$-structure of the internal manifold. We supplement the corresponding superpotential by a KKLT type non-perturbative exponential contribution for all, or for some of the seven moduli, and find a discrete set of supersymmetric Minkowski minima. We also study type IIA and type IIB string theory compactified on ${mathbb{T}^6/ mathbb{Z}_2^2}$. In type IIA, we use a six-flux, geometric fluxes and non-perturbative exponents. In type IIB theory, we use F and H fluxes, and non-geometric Q and P fluxes, corresponding to consistently gauged supergravity with certain embedding tensor components, emph{without non-perturbative exponents}. Also in these situations, we produce discrete Minkowski minima. Finally, to construct dS vacua starting from these Minkowski progenitors, we follow the procedure of mass production of dS vacua.
There are many theories of quantum gravity, depending on asymptotic boundary conditions, and the amount of supersymmetry. The cosmological constant is one of the fundamental parameters that characterize different theories. If it is positive, supersymmetry must be broken. A heuristic calculation shows that a cosmological constant of the observed size predicts superpartners in the TeV range. This mechanism for SUSY breaking also puts important constraints on low energy particle physics models. This essay was submitted to the Gravity Research Foundation Competition and is based on a longer article, which will be submitted in the near future.
In this contribution we go through the developments that in the years 1968 to 1974 led from the Veneziano model to the bosonic string.
We regard the Casimir energy of the universe as the main contribution to the cosmological constant. Using 5 dimensional models of the universe, the flat model and the warped one, we calculate Casimir energy. Introducing the new regularization, called {it sphere lattice regularization}, we solve the divergence problem. The regularization utilizes the closed-string configuration. We consider 4 different approaches: 1) restriction of the integral region (Randall-Schwartz), 2) method of 1) using the minimal area surfaces, 3) introducing the weight function, 4) {it generalized path-integral}. We claim the 5 dimensional field theories are quantized properly and all divergences are renormalized. At present, it is explicitly demonstrated in the numerical way, not in the analytical way. The renormalization-group function ($be$-function) is explicitly obtained. The renormalization-group flow of the cosmological constant is concretely obtained.
We specify the semiclassical no-boundary wave function of the universe without relying on a functional integral of any kind. The wave function is given as a sum of specific saddle points of the dynamical theory that satisfy conditions of regularity on geometry and field and which together yield a time neutral state that is normalizable in an appropriate inner product. This specifies a predictive framework of semiclassical quantum cosmology that is adequate to make probabilistic predictions, which are in agreement with observations in simple models. The use of holography to go beyond the semiclassical approximation is briefly discussed.