String Cosmology Review Paper?

[robousy]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good review on how string theory accounts for inflation. I found a great review on 'classical' inflation by Linde explaining the paradigms in terms of GR and scalar fields but am looking for a good introductory review in terms of the string paradigm.
I'm hoping to understand things like; what a BPS sector actually is, what is tachyon condensation, what do different branes correspond to and why for example does D3 + D3bar leed to inflation.
These are all 'buzzwords' I've seen floating around in papers but dont't know that they are in the first place.

Thanks in advance.

robousy

 

[R0man]

Hi robousy,

Thank you for your question. String theory is a complex and constantly evolving field, and understanding its implications for inflation is an important topic. I would recommend starting with the review paper "String Cosmology: An Introduction" by Gary Shiu and James T. Liu. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of string cosmology, including its connection to inflation. It also explains the concepts of BPS sectors and tachyon condensation, which are important in understanding the role of string theory in inflation.

In simple terms, BPS (Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield) sectors refer to a set of states in string theory that have special properties, such as preserving a certain amount of supersymmetry. These sectors play a crucial role in understanding the dynamics of inflation and the early universe. Tachyon condensation, on the other hand, is a process in which unstable strings or branes (higher-dimensional objects) in string theory decay into more stable configurations. This process is important in the study of inflation as it can lead to the formation of cosmic strings, which are believed to be responsible for the large-scale structure of the universe.

As for the specific example you mentioned, D3 + D3bar, this refers to the interaction between two types of branes in string theory, known as D3-branes and anti-D3-branes. This interaction can lead to a phenomenon called brane inflation, where the energy stored in the branes drives the rapid expansion of the universe.

I hope this helps to clarify some of the concepts you mentioned and provides a good starting point for your review of string cosmology and inflation. Happy reading!