de Sitter Space as a Resonance

Area of Science:

• Theoretical Physics
• Cosmology
• String Theory

Background:

• A quantum mechanical formulation of de Sitter cosmological spacetimes remains an open problem in string theory.
• De Sitter space is a key feature in some cosmological models but lacks a consistent quantum description.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel framework for understanding de Sitter spacetimes within quantum mechanics.
• To establish an analogy between de Sitter space and resonances in scattering processes.

Main Methods:

• Conjecturing a rigorous framework for de Sitter space.
• Investigating transition amplitudes between asymptotically supersymmetric flat vacua.
• Employing constrained instantons for illustrative calculations.

Main Results:

• The proposed framework equates the status of de Sitter space to a resonance in a scattering process.
• Identified resonant poles in transition amplitudes characteristic of metastable intermediate states.
• A calculation using constrained instantons provides a concrete illustration of the conjecture.

Conclusions:

• The conjecture offers a potential pathway towards a quantum mechanical formulation of de Sitter spacetimes.
• The analogy with scattering resonances may provide new insights into the nature of de Sitter space.
• Constrained instanton calculations support the proposed framework.