Universality of the strong de Sitter conjecture in asymptotic regions of moduli space

Prove the strong de Sitter conjecture in asymptotic regions of string theory moduli space, namely that for d-dimensional low-energy effective theories with scalar potential V and moduli-space metric, the normalized gradient satisfies ||∇V||/V ≥ 2/√(d−2) as the scalar fields approach infinite distance in moduli space.

Background

The paper introduces the gradient bound on scalar potentials observed in many asymptotic string constructions, which implies potentials are too steep for single-field models to support accelerated expansion. This bound has been formulated as the strong de Sitter conjecture.

While supported by numerous examples, its universal validity remains unproven; establishing it would have significant consequences for the feasibility of single-field acceleration in controlled regions of string theory.