Related papers: Time-dependent Orbifolds and String Cosmology
The aim of these lectures is to give an introduction to several topics which lie at the intersection of string theory, gravity theory and gravity phenomenology. One successively reviews: (i) the "membrane" approach to the dissipative…
The question how an $M$-dimensional extended object must be shaped so that a rigid motion gives an $M$-brane solution ($M+1$ dimensional timelike zero mean curvature surface) in $M+2$ dimensional Minkowski space is discussed for closed…
Over the past three decades, considerable effort has been devoted to studying the rich and diverse phenomenologies of heterotic strings exhibiting spacetime supersymmetry. Unfortunately, during this same period, there has been relatively…
We present quantum theory of a membrane propagating in the vicinity of a time dependent orbifold singularity. The dynamics of a membrane, with the parameters space topology of a torus, winding uniformly around compact dimension of the…
A relevant part of the quantum algebra of observables for the closed bosonic strings moving in 1+3-dimensional Minkowski space is presented in the form of generating relations involving still one, as yet undetermined, real free parameter.
We present analytical results on the propagation of a classical string in non-zero modes through the singularity of the compactified Milne space. We restrict our analysis to a string winding around the compact dimension of spacetime. The…
In recent years a lot of attention has been paid to topological spaces which are a bit more general than smooth manifolds - orbifolds. Orbifolds are intuitively speaking manifolds with some singularities. The formal definition is also…
We consider type IIA/B strings in two-dimensions and their projection with respect to the nilpotent space-time supercharge. Based on the ground ring structure, we propose a duality between perturbed type II strings and the topological…
We review applications of string theory to cosmology, from primordial times to the present-day accelerated expansion. Starting with a brief overview of cosmology and string compactifications, we discuss in detail moduli stabilisation,…
We consider a $R^{1,d}/Z_2$ orbifold, where $Z_2$ acts by time and space reversal, also known as the embedding space of the elliptic de Sitter space. The background has two potentially dangerous problems: time-nonorientability and the…
Time dependent orbifolds with spacelike or null singularities have recently been studied as simple models of cosmological singularities. We show that their apparent simplicity is an illusion: the introduction of a single particle causes the…
This review summarizes the recent developments in topological string theory from the author's perspective, mostly focused on aspects of research in which the author is involved. After a brief overview of the theory, we discuss two aspects…
We discuss recent developments on the solution of the so-called supersymmetric mu-problem in the context of heterotic orbifolds. In particular, an approximate R symmetry can induce an admissible mu-term in Minkowski vacua of orbifold models…
The topic of cosmic strings provides a bridge between the physics of the very small and the very large. They are predicted by some unified theories of particle interactions. If they exist, they may help to explain some of the largest-scale…
Theories of the cosmological constant fall into two classes, those in which the vacuum energy is fixed by the fundamental theory and those in which it is adjustable in some way. For each class we discuss key challenges. The string theory…
We study the dynamics of type I strings on Melvin backgrounds, with a single or multiple twisted two-planes. We construct two inequivalent types of orientifold models that correspond to (non-compact) irrational versions of Scherk-Schwarz…
We consider string perturbative expansion in the presence of D-branes imbedded in orbifolded space-time. In the regime where the string coupling is weak and $\alpha'\to 0$, the string perturbative expansion coincides with `t Hooft's large N…
We analyze classical theory of a membrane propagating in a singular background spacetime. The algebra of the first-class constraints of the system defines the membrane dynamics. A membrane winding uniformly around compact dimension of…
We consider the spacetime dynamics of a gas of closed strings in the context of General Relativity in a background of arbitrary spatial dimensions. Our motivation is primarily late time String Gas Cosmology, where such a spacetime picture…
We propose a possible answer to one of the most exciting open questions in physics and cosmology, that is the question why we seem to experience four- dimensional space-time with three ordinary and one time dimensions. We have known for…