No-go theorems for ekpyrosis from ten-dimensional supergravity

Abstract

Abstract We study whether the new ekpyrotic scenario can be embedded into ten­dimensional supergravity. We use that the scalar potential obtained from flux compactifications of type II supergravity with sources has a universal scaling with respect to the dilaton and the volume mode. Similar to the investigation of inflationary models, we obtain very strong constraints ruling out ekpyrosis from analysing the fast-roll conditions. We conclude that flux compactifications tend to provide potentials that are neither too flat and positive (inflation) nor too steep and negative (ekpyrosis).