Low-energy String Effective Action Research Articles

Quantum String Cosmology

We present a short review of possible applications of the Wheeler-De Witt equation to cosmological models based on the low-energy string effective action, and characterised by an initial regime of asymptotically flat, low energy, weak coupling evolution. Considering in particular a class of duality-related (but classically disconnected) background solutions, we shall discuss the possibility of quantum transitions between the phases of pre-big bang and post-big bang evolution. We will show that it is possible, in such a context, to represent the birth of our Universe as a quantum process of tunneling or “anti-tunneling” from an initial state asymptotically approaching the string perturbative vacuum.

D→4 Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity and beyond

A 'novel' pure theory of Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity in four-spacetime dimensions can be constructed by rescaling the Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant, seemingly eluding Lovelock's theorem. Recently, however, the well-posedness of this model has been called into question. Here we apply a `dimensional regularization' technique, first used by Mann and Ross to write down a D→2 limit of general relativity, to the case of pure Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity. The resulting four-dimensional action is a particular Horndeski theory of gravity matching the result found via a Kaluza-Klein reduction over a flat internal space. Some cosmological solutions of this four-dimensional theory are examined. We further adapt the technique to higher curvature Lovelock theories of gravity, as well as a low-energy effective string action with an α′ correction. With respect to the D→4 limit of the α′-corrected string action, we find we must also rescale the dilaton to have a non-singular action in four dimensions. Interestingly, when the conformal rescaling Φ is interpreted as another dilaton, the regularized string action appears to be a special case of a covariant multi-Galileon theory of gravity.

تبدیلات دوگانگی آبلی استاندارد در گرانش f(T)

According to the perturbation order, the equations of motion of low-energy string effective action are the generalized Einstein equations. Thus, by making use of the conformal transformation of the metric tensor, it is possible to map the low-energy string effective action into f(T) gravity, relating the dilaton field to the torsion scalar. Considering a homogeneous and isotropic universe and writing the canonical Lagrangian for f(T) gravity, we show that the invariance under the duality transformation holds for the cosmic scale factor a(t) at the level of the Lagrangian. Finally, by use of the dualized Lagrangian and also the invariance of torsion scalar under the scale factor duality a(t)→1/a(t), the specific form of the f(T) function is obtained.

History of cosmic evolution with modified Gauss\u2013Bonnet-dilatonic coupled term

Gauss–Bonnet-dilatonic coupling in four dimensions plays an important role to explain late-time cosmic evolution. However, this term is an outcome of the low energy string effective action and thus ought to be important in the early universe too. Unfortunately, a phase-space formulation of such a theory does not exist in the literature due to branching. We therefore consider a modified theory of gravity, which contains a nonminimally coupled scalar–tensor sector in addition to a higher-order scalar curvature invariant term with Gauss–Bonnet-dilatonic coupling. Such an action unifies early inflation with late-time cosmic acceleration. The quantum version of the theory is also well behaved.

Enhanced gauge symmetry and winding modes in double field theory

We provide an explicit example of how the string winding modes can be incorporated in double field theory. Our guiding case is the closed bosonic string compactified on a circle of radius close to the self-dual point, where some modes with non-zero winding or discrete momentum number become massless and enhance the $U(1) \times U(1)$ symmetry to $SU(2) \times SU(2)$. We compute three-point string scattering amplitudes of massless and slightly massive states, and extract the corresponding effective low energy gauge field theory. The enhanced gauge symmetry at the self-dual point and the Higgs-like mechanism arising when changing the compactification radius are examined in detail. The extra massless fields associated to the enhancement are incorporated into a generalized frame with $\frac{O(d+3,d+3)}{O(d+3)\times O(d+3)}$ structure, where $d$ is the number of non-compact dimensions. We devise a consistent double field theory action that reproduces the low energy string effective action with enhanced gauge symmetry. The construction requires a truly non-geometric frame which explicitly depends on both the compact coordinate along the circle and its dual.

A New Family of Exact Solutions in 2 + 1 Dimensional Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton Theory

Static, rotationally symmetric solutions are investigated for the 2+1 dimensional Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton theories. Some exact but not general solutions have been found for these theories by many authors. To find the general exact solutions with this symmetry for arbitrary dilaton couplings to Maxwell field and to a cosmological constant, we obtain the general and simple form of the field equations by introducing new variables. These equations can be interpreted as ‘equations of motion’ with a constraint equation in terms of the variables. It is shown that the ‘equations of motion’ are analytically integrable for some particular but physically important cases of dilaton couplings, for example, one of the cases of low-energy effective string action. As a result of the application of the method found in this paper, we obtain a new family of exact solutions of the 2+1 dimensional EinsteinMaxwell-Dilaton theory under the condition of ab =1 . Subject Index: 453

Living with phantoms fields in a sheet spacetime

We consider the flat anisotropic Bianchi I braneworld model of the universe within the framework of low energy effective string action in four-dimensions including the leading order α′ terms, two-scalar fields, their interaction, non-minimal coupling of the dark-energy scalar field to the scalar curvature and effective cosmological constant. Backward (high energy limit) and forward (low energy limit) in time analytic solutions are derived and late-time accelerated expansion was found. It is shown that during the transition from high energy limit to the low energy limit, the topology of the universe is changing in time: we have a transition from a (1 + 3) FRW homogenous and isotropic spacetime dominated by radiation to a (1 + 2) spacetime sheet dominated by phantom energy while the third spatial dimension is contracted in time. We have also found that dark matter and dark energy may be unified at early epoch in the form of radiation fluids while the late-time dynamics is governed by phantom energy and dark energy. Many interesting features are revealed.

Dark energy generated from a (super-) string effective action with higher-order curvature corrections and a dynamical dilaton

We investigate the possibility of a dark energy universe emerging from an action with higher-order string loop corrections to Einstein gravity in the presence of a massless dilaton. These curvature corrections (up to $R^4$ order) are different depending upon the type of (super)string model which is considered. We find in fact that Type II, heterotic, and bosonic strings respond differently to dark energy. A dark energy solution is shown to exist in the case of the bosonic string, while the other two theories do not lead to realistic dark energy universes. Detailed analysis of the dynamical stability of the de-Sitter solution is presented for the case of a bosonic string. A general prescription for the construction of a de-Sitter solution for the low-energy (super)string effective action is also indicated. Beyond the low-energy (super)string effective action, when the higher-curvature correction coefficients depend on the dilaton, the reconstruction of the theory from the universe expansion history is done with a corresponding prescription for the scalar potentials.

Curvature perturbations from dimensional decoupling

The scalar modes of the geometry induced by dimensional decoupling are investigated. In the context of the low-energy string effective action, solutions can be found where the spatial part of the background geometry is the direct product of two maximally symmetric Euclidean manifolds whose related scale factors evolve at a dual rate so that the expanding dimensions first accelerate and then decelerate, while the internal dimensions always contract. After introducing the perturbative treatment of the inhomogeneities, a class of five-dimensional geometries is discussed in detail. Quasi-normal modes of the system are derived and the numerical solution for the evolution of the metric inhomogeneities shows that the fluctuations of the internal dimensions provide a term that can be interpreted, in analogy with the well-known four-dimensional situation, as a non-adiabatic pressure density variation. Implications of this result are discussed with particular attention to string cosmological scenarios.

Inflation in string-inspired cosmology and suppression of CMB low multipoles

We construct a string-inspired nonsingular cosmological scenario in which an inflaton field is driven up the potential before the graceful exit by employing a low-energy string effective action with an orbifold compactification. This sets up an initial condition for the inflaton to lead to a sufficient number of e-foldings and to generate a nearly scale-invariant primordial density perturbation during slow-roll inflation. Our scenario provides an interesting possibility to explain a suppressed power spectrum at low multipoles due to the presence of the modulus-driven phase prior to slow-roll inflation and thus can leave a strong imprint of extra dimensions in observed CMB anisotropies.

Long-Wavelength Approximation for String Cosmology with Barotropic Perfect Fluid

The field equations derived from the low energy string effective action with a matter tensor describing a perfect fluid with a barotropic equation of state are solved iteratively using the long-wavelength approximation, i.e. the field equations are expanded by the number of spatial gradients. In the zero order, a quasi-isotropic solution is presented and compared with the general solution of the pure dilaton gravity. Possible cosmological models are analyzed from the point of view of the pre-big bang scenario. The second order solutions are found and their growing and decaying parts are studied.

Dynamical behavior of dilaton in de Sitter space

We study the dynamical behavior of the dilaton in the background of three-dimensional Kerr–de-Sitter space which is inspired from the low-energy string effective action. The perturbation analysis around the cosmological horizon of Kerr–de-Sitter space reveals a mixing between the dilaton and other fields. Introducing a gauge (dilaton gauge), we can disentangle this mixing completely and obtain one decoupled dilaton equation. However, it turns out that this belongs to the tachyon. The stability of de Sitter solution with J=0 is discussed. Finally we compute the dilaton absorption cross section to extract information on the cosmological horizon of de Sitter space.

Dilatonic interpretation of quintessence?

We discuss the possibility that "quintessential effects", recently displayed by large scale observations, may be consistently described in the context of the low-energy string effective action, and we suggest a possible approach to the problem of the cosmic coincidence based on the link between the strength of the dilaton couplings and the cosmological state of our Universe.

Bianchi type I cosmologies in arbitrary dimensional dilaton gravities

We study the low energy string effective action with an exponential type dilaton potential and vanishing torsion in a Bianchi type I space-time geometry. In the Einstein and string frames the general solution of the gravitational field equations can be expressed in an exact parametric form. Depending on the values of some parameters the obtained cosmological models can be generically divided into three classes, leading to both singular and nonsingular behaviors. The effect of the potential on the time evolution of the mean anisotropy parameter is also considered in detail, and it is shown that a Bianchi type I Universe isotropizes only in the presence of a dilaton field potential or a central deficit charge.

Cyclical behavior in early universe cosmologies

This paper studies early universe cosmologies derived from a scalar–tensor action containing cosmological constant terms and massless fields. The governing equations can be written as a dynamical system which contains no past or future asymptotic equilibrium states (i.e., no sources nor sinks). This leads to dynamics with very interesting mathematical behavior such as the existence of heteroclinic cycles. The corresponding cosmologies have novel characteristics, including cyclical and bouncing behavior possibly indicating chaos. The connection between these early universe cosmologies and those derived from the low-energy string effective action is discussed.

ON THE CONFORMAL ANOMALY FROM HIGHER DERIVATIVE GRAVITY IN AdS/CFT CORRESPONDENCE

We follow Witten's proposal1 in the calculation of conformal anomaly from (d + 1)-dimensional higher derivative gravity via AdS/CFT correspondence. It is assumed that some d-dimensional conformal field theories have a description in terms of above (d + 1)-dimensional higher derivative gravity which includes not only the Einstein term and cosmological constant but also curvature squared terms. The explicit expression for two-dimensional and four-dimensional anomalies is found, it contains higher derivative corrections. In particular, it is shown that not only Einstein gravity but also theory with the Lagrangian L =aR2 + bRμνRμν + Λ (even when a=0 or b=0) is five-dimensional bulk theory for [Formula: see text] super-Yang–Mills theory in AdS/CFT correspondence. Similarly, the d + 1 = 3 theory with (or without) Einstein term may describe d = 2 scalar or spinor CFT's. That gives new versions of bulk side which may be useful in different aspects. As application of our general formalism we find next-to-leading corrections to the conformal anomaly of [Formula: see text] supersymmetric theory from d = 5 AdS higher derivative gravity (low energy string effective action).

String Fields and the Standard Model

The Cremmer-Scherk mechanism is generalized in a non-Abelian context. In the presence of the Higgs scalars of the standard model it is argued that fields arising from a low energy effective string action may contribute to the mass generation of the observed vector bosons that mediate the electroweak interactions, and that future analyses of experimental data should consider the possibility of string induced radiative corrections to the Weinberg angle coming from physics beyond the standard model.

Fully anisotropic string cosmologies, Maxwell fields, and primordial shear

We present a class of exact cosmological solutions of the low energy string effective action in the presence of a homogeneous magnetic fields. We discuss the physical properties of the obtained (fully anisotropic) cosmologies paying particular attention to their vacuum limit and to the possible isotropization mechanisms. We argue that quadratic curvature corrections are able to isotropize fully anisotropic solutions whose scale factors describe accelerated expansion. Moreover, the degree of isotropization grows with the duration of the string phase. We follow the fate of the shear parameter in a decelerated phase where, dilaton, magnetic fields and radiation fluid are simultaneously present. In the absence of any magnetic field a long string phase immediately followed by radiation is able to erase large anisotropies. Conversely, if a short string phase is followed by a long dilaton dominated phase the anisotropies can be present, in principle, also at later times. The presence of magnetic seeds after the end of the string phase can induce further anisotropies which can be studied within the formalism reported in this paper.

A NONSINGULAR UNIVERSE IN STRING COSMOLOGY

We consider the low-energy effective string action in four dimensions including the leading order-α′ terms. An exact homogeneous solution is obtained. It represents a nonsingular expanding cosmological model in which the tensor fields tend to vanish as t→∞. The scale factor a(t) of the very early universe in this model has the time dependence [Formula: see text]. The violation of the strong energy condition of classical General Relativity to avoid the initial singularity requires that the central charge deficit of the theory be larger than a certain value. The significance of this solution is discussed.

HAMILTON–JACOBI APPROACH TO PRE-BIG BANG COSMOLOGY AT LONG WAVELENGTHS

We apply the long-wavelength approximation to the low-energy effective string action in the context of the Hamilton–Jacobi theory. The Hamilton–Jacobi equation for the effective string action is explicitly invariant under scale factor duality. We present the leading-order, general solution of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation. The Hamilton–Jacobi approach yields a solution consistent with the Lagrange formalism. The momentum constraints take an elegant, simple form. Furthermore, this general solution reduces to the quasi-isotropic one, if the evolution of the gravitational radiation is neglected. Duality transformation for the general solution is written as a coordinate transformation in an abstract field space.