In mathematical physics, n-dimensional de Sitter space (often denoted dSn) is a maximally symmetric Lorentzian manifold with constant positive scalar curvature. It is the Lorentzian analogue of an n-sphere (with its canonical Riemannian metric). The main application of de Sitter space is its use in general relativity, where it serves as one of the simplest mathematical models of the universe consistent with the observed accelerating expansion of the universe. More specifically, de Sitter space is the maximally symmetric vacuum solution of Einstein's field equations with a positive cosmological constant \Lambda (corresponding to a positive vacuum energy density and negative pressure). De Sitter space and anti-de Sitter space are named after Willem de Sitter (1872–1934), professor of astronomy at Leiden University and director of the Leiden Observatory. Willem de Sitter and Albert Einstein worked closely together in Leiden in the 1920s on the spacetime structure of our universe. De Sitter space was also discovered, independently, and about the same time, by Tullio Levi-Civita.

Definition

A de Sitter space can be defined as a submanifold of a generalized Minkowski space of one higher dimension, including the induced metric. Take Minkowski space R1,n with the standard metric: The n-dimensional de Sitter space is the submanifold described by the hyperboloid of one sheet where \alpha is some nonzero constant with its dimension being that of length. The induced metric on the de Sitter space induced from the ambient Minkowski metric. It is nondegenerate and has Lorentzian signature. (If one replaces \alpha^2 with -\alpha^2 in the above definition, one obtains a hyperboloid of two sheets. The induced metric in this case is positive-definite, and each sheet is a copy of hyperbolic n-space. See .) The de Sitter space can also be defined as the quotient O(1, n) / O(1, n − 1) of two indefinite orthogonal groups, which shows that it is a non-Riemannian symmetric space. Topologically, dSn is R × Sn−1 (which is simply connected if n ≥ 3).

Properties

The isometry group of de Sitter space is the Lorentz group O(1, n). The metric therefore then has n(n + 1)/2 independent Killing vector fields and is maximally symmetric. Every maximally symmetric space has constant curvature. The Riemann curvature tensor of de Sitter is given by (using the sign convention for the Riemann curvature tensor). De Sitter space is an Einstein manifold since the Ricci tensor is proportional to the metric: This means de Sitter space is a vacuum solution of Einstein's equation with cosmological constant given by The scalar curvature of de Sitter space is given by For the case n = 4, we have Λ = 3/α2 and R = 4Λ = 12/α2.

Coordinates

Static coordinates

We can introduce static coordinates for de Sitter as follows: where z_i gives the standard embedding the (n − 2)-sphere in Rn−1. In these coordinates the de Sitter metric takes the form: Note that there is a cosmological horizon at r = \alpha.

Flat slicing

Let where. Then in the coordinates metric reads: where is the flat metric on y_i's. Setting, we obtain the conformally flat metric:

Open slicing

Let where forming a S^{n-2} with the standard metric. Then the metric of the de Sitter space reads where is the standard hyperbolic metric.

Closed slicing

Let where z_is describe a S^{n-1}. Then the metric reads: Changing the time variable to the conformal time via we obtain a metric conformally equivalent to Einstein static universe: These coordinates, also known as "global coordinates" cover the maximal extension of de Sitter space, and can therefore be used to find its Penrose diagram.

dS slicing

Let where z_is describe a S^{n-3}. Then the metric reads: where is the metric of an n - 1 dimensional de Sitter space with radius of curvature \alpha in open slicing coordinates. The hyperbolic metric is given by: This is the analytic continuation of the open slicing coordinates under and also switching x_0 and x_2 because they change their timelike/spacelike nature.