Graceful exit in quantum string cosmology

We write an O( d, d)-covariant Wheeler-De Witt equation in the ( d 2 + 1)-dimensional minisuperspace of low-energy cosmological string backgrounds. We discuss explicit examples of transitions between two duality-related cosmological phases, and we find a finite quantum transition probability even wh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear physics. B 1996-07, Vol.472 (1), p.349-360
Main Authors: Gasperini, M., Maharana, J., Veneziano, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Quantum cosmology
String cosmology
Wheeler-De Witt equation
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Summary:We write an O( d, d)-covariant Wheeler-De Witt equation in the ( d 2 + 1)-dimensional minisuperspace of low-energy cosmological string backgrounds. We discuss explicit examples of transitions between two duality-related cosmological phases, and we find a finite quantum transition probability even when the two phases are classically separated by a curvature singularity. This quantum approach is completely free from operator ordering ambiguities as a consequence of the duality symmetries of the string effective action.
ISSN:0550-3213
1873-1562
DOI:10.1016/0550-3213(96)00201-5