Cosmological α′-corrections from the functional renormalization group

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We employ the techniques of the Functional Renormalization Group in string theory, in order to derive an effective mini-superspace action for cosmological backgrounds to all orders in the string scale α′. To this end, T-duality plays a crucial role, classifying all perturbative curvature corrections in terms of a single function of the Hubble parameter. The resulting renormalization group equations admit an exact, albeit non-analytic, solution in any spacetime dimension D, which is however incompatible with Einstein gravity at low energies. Within an E-expansion about D = 2, we also find an analytic solution which exhibits a non-Gaussian ultraviolet fixed point with positive Newton coupling, as well as an acceptable low-energy limit. Yet, within polynomial truncations of the full theory space, we find no evidence for an analog of this solution in D = 4. Finally, we comment on potential cosmological implications of our findings.

Original languageEnglish
Article number45
JournalJournal of High Energy Physics
Volume2021
Issue number6
ISSN1126-6708
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

    Research areas

  • Cosmology of Theories beyond the SM, Nonperturbative Effects, Renormalization Group, String Duality

ID: 388513162