arXiv subjects

Renata Kallosh

Publications and source records attributed to Renata Kallosh.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

arXiv2004

SuperCosmology

We present a Mathematica package for performing algebraic and numerical computations in cosmological models based on supersymmetric theories. The programs allow for (I) evaluation and study of the properties of a scalar potential in a large class of supergravity models with any number of moduli and arbitrary superpotential, Kahler potential, and D-term; (II) numerical solution of a system of scalar and Friedmann equations for the flat FRW universe, with any number of scalar moduli and arbitrary moduli space metric. We are using here a simple set of first order differential equations which we derived in a Hamiltonian framework. Using our programs we present some new results: (I) a shift-symmetric potential of the inflationary model with a mobile D3 brane in an internal space with stabilized volume; (II) a KKLT-based dark energy model with the acceleration of the universe due to the evolution of the axion partner of the volume modulus. The gzipped package can be downloaded from http://www.stanford.edu/~prok/SuperCosmology/ or from http://www.stanford.edu/~rkallosh/SuperCosmology/

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arXiv2004

Fayet-Iliopoulos Terms in Supergravity and Cosmology

We clarify the structure of N=1 supergravity in 1+3 dimensions with constant FI terms. The FI terms induce non-vanishing R-charges for the fermions and the superpotential. Therefore the D-term inflation model in supergravity with constant FI terms has to be revisited. We also investigate the case of the so-called anomalous U(1) when a chiral superfield is shifted under U(1). In such a case, in the context of string theory, the FI terms originate from the derivative of the Kaehler potential and they are inevitably field-dependent. This raises an issue of stabilization of the relevant field in applications to cosmology. The recently suggested equivalence between the D-term strings and D-branes of type II theory shows that brane-anti-brane systems produce FI terms in the effective 4d theory, with the Ramond-Ramond axion shifting under the U(1) symmetry. This connection gives the possibility to interpret many unknown properties of D-\bar{D} systems in the more familiar language of 4d supergravity D-terms, and vice versa. For instance, the shift of the axion field in both cases restricts the possible forms of the moduli-stabilizing superpotential. We provide some additional consistency checks of the correspondence of D-term-strings to D-branes and show that instabilities of the two are closely related. Surviving cosmic D-strings of type II theory may be potentially observed in the form of D-term strings of 4d supergravity.

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arXiv2004

D-term strings

We study the embedding of cosmic strings, related to the Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olesen vortex solution, into d=4, N=1 supergravity. We find that the local cosmic string solution which saturates the BPS bound of supergravity with $D$-term potential for the Higgs field and with constant Fayet--Iliopoulos term, has 1/2 of supersymmetry unbroken. We observe an interesting relation between the gravitino supersymmetry transformation, positive energy condition and the deficit angle of the cosmic string. We argue that the string solutions with magnetic flux with F-term potential cannot be supersymmetric, which leads us to a conjecture that D1-strings (wrapped D(1+q)-branes) of string theory in the effective 4d supergravity are described by the D-term strings that we study in this paper. We give various consistency checks of this conjecture, and show that it highlights some generic properties of non-BPS string theory backgrounds, such as brane-anti-brane systems. Supersymmetry breaking by such systems can be viewed as FI D-term breaking, which implies, under certain conditions, the presence of gauged R-symmetry on such backgrounds. The D-term nature of the brane-anti-brane energy can also provide information on the superpotential for the tachyon, which Higgses the R-symmetry. In this picture, the inter-brane force can be viewed as a result of the world-volume gauge coupling renormalization by the open string loops.

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arXiv2003

On Brane Inflation With Volume Stabilization

The distance between BPS branes in string theory corresponds to a flat direction in the effective potential. Small deviations from supersymmetry may lead to a small uplifting of this flat direction and to brane inflation. However, this scenario can work only if the BPS properties of the branes and the corresponding flatness of the inflaton potential are preserved in the theories with the stable volume compactification. We present an ``inflaton trench'' mechanism that keeps the inflaton potential flat due to shift symmetry, which is related to near BPS symmetry in our model.

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arXiv2003

P-term, D-term and F-term inflation

P-term inflation is a version of hybrid inflation which naturally appears in some brane inflation models. It was introduced in the framework of N=2 supersymmetric gauge theory where superconformal SU(2,2|2) symmetry is broken down to N=2 supersymmetry by the vev of the auxiliary triplet field P. Depending on the direction of this vev, one can get either D-term inflation or F-term inflation with a particular relation between Yukawa and gauge coupling, or a mix of these models. We show that F and D models, before coupling to gravity is included, are related by a change of variables. Coupling of this model to N=1 supergravity breaks this symmetry and introduces a class of P-term models interpolating between D-term and F-term inflation. The difference between these models is determined by the direction of the vector P, which depends on the fluxes in the underlying D3/D7 model of brane inflation. We discuss cosmological consequences of various versions of P-term inflation.

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arXiv2003

Towards Inflation in String Theory

We investigate the embedding of brane inflation into stable compactifications of string theory. At first sight a warped compactification geometry seems to produce a naturally flat inflaton potential, evading one well-known difficulty of brane-antibrane scenarios. Careful consideration of the closed string moduli reveals a further obstacle: superpotential stabilization of the compactification volume typically modifies the inflaton potential and renders it too steep for inflation. We discuss the non-generic conditions under which this problem does not arise. We conclude that brane inflation models can only work if restrictive assumptions about the method of volume stabilization, the warping of the internal space, and the source of inflationary energy are satisfied. We argue that this may not be a real problem, given the large range of available fluxes and background geometries in string theory.

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arXiv2003

Observational Bounds on Cosmic Doomsday

Recently it was found, in a broad class of models, that the dark energy density may change its sign during the evolution of the universe. This may lead to a global collapse of the universe within the time t_c ~ 10^{10}-10^{11} years. Our goal is to find what bounds on the future lifetime of the universe can be placed by the next generation of cosmological observations. As an example, we investigate the simplest model of dark energy with a linear potential V(ϕ) =V_0(1+αϕ). This model can describe the present stage of acceleration of the universe if αis small enough. However, eventually the field ϕrolls down, V(ϕ) becomes negative, and the universe collapses. The existing observational data indicate that the universe described by this model will collapse not earlier than t_c > 10 billion years from the present moment. We show that the data from SNAP and Planck satellites may extend the bound on the "doomsday" time to t_c > 40 billion years at the 95% confidence level.

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arXiv2003

M/String Theory, S-branes and Accelerating Universe

Recently it was observed that the hyperbolic compactification of M/string theory related to S-branes may lead to a transient period of acceleration of the universe. We study time evolution of the corresponding effective 4d cosmological model supplemented by cold dark matter and show that it is marginally possible to describe observational data for the late-time cosmic acceleration in this model. However, investigation of the compactification 11d -> 4d suggests that the Compton wavelengths of the KK modes in this model are of the same order as the size of the observable part of the universe. Assuming that this problem, as well as several other problems of this scenario, can be resolved, we propose a possible solution of the cosmological coincidence problem due to relation between the dark energy density and the effective dimensionality of the universe.

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arXiv2003

de Sitter Vacua in String Theory

We outline the construction of metastable de Sitter vacua of type IIB string theory. Our starting point is highly warped IIB compactifications with nontrivial NS and RR three-form fluxes. By incorporating known corrections to the superpotential from Euclidean D-brane instantons or gaugino condensation, one can make models with all moduli fixed, yielding a supersymmetric AdS vacuum. Inclusion of a small number of anti-D3 branes in the resulting warped geometry allows one to uplift the AdS minimum and make it a metastable de Sitter ground state. The lifetime of our metastable de Sitter vacua is much greater than the cosmological timescale of 10^10 years. We also prove, under certain conditions, that the lifetime of dS space in string theory will always be shorter than the recurrence time.

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arXiv2003

Dark Energy and the Fate of the Universe

It is often assumed that in the course of the evolution of the universe, the dark energy either vanishes or becomes a positive constant. However, recently it was shown that in many models based on supergravity, the dark energy eventually becomes negative and the universe collapses within the time comparable to the present age of the universe. We will show that this conclusion is not limited to the models based on supergravity: In many models describing the present stage of acceleration of the universe, the dark energy eventually becomes negative, which triggers the collapse of the universe within the time t = 10^10-10^11 years. The theories of this type have certain distinguishing features that can be tested by cosmological observations.

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arXiv2002

M-theory, Cosmological Constant and Anthropic Principle

We discuss the theory of dark energy based on maximally extended supergravity and suggest a possible anthropic explanation of the present value of the cosmological constant and of the observed ratio between dark energy and energy of matter.

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arXiv2002

Supergravity, Dark Energy and the Fate of the Universe

We propose a description of dark energy and acceleration of the universe in extended supergravities with de Sitter (dS) solutions. Some of them are related to M-theory with non-compact internal spaces. Masses of ultra-light scalars in these models are quantized in units of the Hubble constant: m^2 = n H^2. If dS solution corresponds to a minimum of the effective potential, the universe eventually becomes dS space. If dS solution corresponds to a maximum or a saddle point, which is the case in all known models based on N=8 supergravity, the flat universe eventually stops accelerating and collapses to a singularity. We show that in these models, as well as in the simplest models of dark energy based on N=1 supergravity, the typical time remaining before the global collapse is comparable to the present age of the universe, t = O(10^{10}) years. We discuss the possibility of distinguishing between various models and finding our destiny using cosmological observations.

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arXiv2002

Supergravity, M theory and Cosmology

We discuss some recent attempts to reconcile cosmology with supergravity and M/string theory. First of all, we point out that in extended supergravities the scalar masses are quantized in terms of the cosmological constant in de Sitter vacua: the eigenvalues of the Casimir operator 3 m^2/Λtake integer values. For the current value of the cosmological constant extended supergravities predict ultra light scalars with the mass of the order of Hubble constant, 10^{-33} eV. This may have interesting consequences for cosmology. Turning our attention to cosmological implications of M/string theory, we present a possibility to use string theory D-brane constructions to reproduce the main features of hybrid inflation. We stress an important role played by Fayet-Iliopoulos terms responsible for the positive contribution to the potentials and stabilization of moduli.

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arXiv2002

D3/D7 Inflationary Model and M-theory

A proposal is made for a cosmological D3/D7 model with a constant magnetic flux along the D7 world-volume. It describes an N=2 gauge model with Fayet-Iliopoulos terms and the potential of the hybrid P-term inflation. The motion of the D3-brane towards D7 in a phase with spontaneously broken supersymmetry provides a period of slow-roll inflation in the de Sitter valley, the role of the inflaton being played by the distance between D3 and D7-branes. After tachyon condensation a supersymmetric ground state is formed: a D3/D7 bound state corresponding to an Abelian non-linear (non-commutative) instanton. In this model the existence of a non-vanishing cosmological constant is associated with the resolution of the instanton singularity. We discuss a possible embedding of this model into a compactified M-theory setup.

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arXiv2001

Gauged Supergravities, de Sitter Space and Cosmology

We have studied scalar potentials V of gauged N=8,4,2 supergravities in d=4. Extrema of these potentials may correspond to de Sitter, anti de Sitter and Minkowski vacua. All de Sitter extrema that we have studied correspond to unstable maximum/saddle points with negative curvature |V''|=2V for the fields canonically normalized at the extremum. This is equivalent to the relation |m^2| =|R|/2 = 6H^2 for the tachyonic mass m, the curvature scalar R, and the Hubble constant H. This prevents the use of de Sitter extrema for slow-roll inflation in the early universe, which would require |V''| \ll V . Moreover, in all models that we were able to analyse the potential is unbounded from below. On the other hand, barring the question how realistic such models could be, one can use them for the description of the accelerated expansion of the universe at the present epoch. This is related to a novel possibility of the fast-roll inflation with |V''| > V . We also display some potentials that have flat directions with vanishing cosmological constant, and discuss their possible cosmological implications.

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arXiv2001

String Theory and Hybrid Inflation/Acceleration

We find a description of hybrid inflation in (3+1)-dimensions using brane dynamics of Hanany-Witten type. P-term inflation/acceleration of the universe with the hybrid potential has a slow-roll de Sitter stage and a waterfall stage which leads towards an N=2 supersymmetric ground state. We identify the slow-roll stage of inflation with a non-supersymmetric `Coulomb phase' with Fayet-Iliopoulos term. This stage ends when the mass squared of one of the scalars in the hypermultiplet becomes negative. At that moment the brane system starts undergoing a phase transition via tachyon condensation to a fully Higgsed supersymmetric vacuum which is the absolute ground state of P-term inflation. A string theory/cosmology dictionary is provided, which leads to constraints on parameters of the brane construction from cosmological experiments. We display a splitting of mass levels reminiscent of the Zeeman effect due to spontaneous supersymmetry breaking.

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arXiv2001

N=2 Supersymmetry and de Sitter space

We present a (unique?) possibility of de Sitter solution in the framework of N=2 supersymmetry (hypersymmetry). We show that a model with a vector and a charged hypermultiplet has a hybrid inflation type potential. It leads to a slow-roll regime in de Sitter type background with all supersymmetries broken spontaneously. Beyond the bifurcation point the waterfall stage abruptly brings the system into a ground state with 2 unbroken supersymmetries. De Sitter stage exists under condition that the superconformal SU(2,2|2) symmetry of the model is softly broken down to N=2 supersymmetry by the vev of the Killing prepotential triplet P^r. This hybrid hypersymmetry model may describe P-term inflation and/or acceleration of the universe at the present epoch.

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arXiv2001

Domain Walls with Strings Attached

We have constructed a bulk & brane action of IIA theory which describes a pair of BPS domain walls on S_1/Z_2, with strings attached. The walls are given by two orientifold O8-planes with coincident D8-branes and `F1-D0'-strings are stretched between the walls. This static configuration satisfies all matching conditions for the string and domain wall sources and has 1/4 of unbroken supersymmetry.

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