Abstract

We argue that under certain assumptions the quantum break time approach and the trans-Planckian censorship conjecture both lead to de Sitter swampland constraints of the same functional form. It is a well known fact that the quantum energy-momentum tensor in the Bunch-Davies vacuum computed in the static patch of dS breaks some of the isometries. Proposing that this is a manifestation of quantum breaking of dS, we analyze some of its consequences. In particular, this leads to a thermal matter component that can be generalized to string theory in an obvious way. Imposing a censorship of quantum breaking, we recover the no eternal inflation bound in the low temperature regime, while the stronger bound from the dS swampland conjecture follows under a few reasonable assumptions about the still mysterious, presumably topological, high-temperature regime of string theory.

Highlights

  • Quantum breaking of dS from backreactionWe start this section by reviewing the computation of the (BD) vacuum expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor for a quantized conformal scalar field in a classical dS spacetime

  • Some of these conjectures into perspective, and to do so, let us start by briefly reviewing the relevant bounds and their origins

  • Imposing a censorship of quantum breaking, we recover the no eternal inflation bound in the low temperature regime, while the stronger bound from the dS swampland conjecture follows under a few reasonable assumptions about the still mysterious, presumably topological, high-temperature regime of string theory

Read more

Summary

Quantum breaking of dS from backreaction

We start this section by reviewing the computation of the (BD) vacuum expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor for a quantized conformal scalar field in a classical dS spacetime. We highlight the difference between the results in FLRW coordinates and in the static patch. We provide a systematic approach to compute the latter in the center of the static patch for the non-conformal case. All this will lead us to the conjecture that quantum backreaction is a manifestation of quantum breaking. We will comment on the similarity to Rindler space which, if taken seriously, will lead to the conjecture that eternal flat Minkowski space is not a solution of (non-supersymmetric) quantum gravity, either

Brief review of the conformal case
Proposal: quantum breaking
Reduced density matrix for massive scalar
Energy-momentum tensor for massive scalar
Thermodynamics of string theory
Free energy of strings at finite temperature
Examples: type IIB and heterotic
Tachyon condensation and a new phase of strings
Low temperature regime
High temperature regime
Conclusions
A Computation of normalization constants
B Computation of individual contributions to T00 and Trr
C Limit m H in 4D

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.