Existence of de Sitter minima in asymptotic regions of string moduli space

Determine whether de Sitter minima of the scalar potential exist in the asymptotic regions of string theory moduli space, where moduli take parametrically large vacuum expectation values and the theory is under perturbative control, thereby establishing if a positive cosmological constant can be realized in these regions.

Background

The paper reviews efforts to construct accelerating cosmologies within string theory by analyzing the scalar potential in different regions of moduli space. In asymptotic regions, where perturbative control is available, computed potentials typically take the form of sums of exponentials and do not yield minima, thwarting attempts to realize de Sitter vacua.

Despite extensive research in these controlled regimes, no definitive example of a de Sitter minimum has been found. The authors underscore that resolving this would clarify whether a positive cosmological constant can arise within the most tractable corners of string theory.