Time-dependent orbifolds and string cosmology

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Cornalba, L (Author) Other; Costa, MS (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Fortschritte der Physik

Vol. 52

Pages: 145-199

ISSN: 0015-8208

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 125 Citations

Scopus - 128 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Physical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-BQP

DOI: 10.1002/prop.200310123

Abstract (EN): In these lectures, we review the physics of time-dependent orbifolds of string theory, with particular attention to orbifolds of three-dimensional Minkowski space. We discuss the propagation of free particles in the orbifold geometries, together with their interactions. We address the issue of stability of these string vacua and the difficulties in defining a consistent perturbation theory, pointing to possible solutions. In particular, it is shown that resumming part of the perturbative expansion gives finite amplitudes. Finally we discuss the duality of some orbifold models with the physics of orientifold planes, and we describe cosmological models based on the dynamics of these orientifolds. (C) 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific