Challenges for Moduli Stabilization and String Cosmology near the Conifold

Understand

This brief article reviews a recently proposed scenario of moduli stabilization constructed in the vicinity of a conifold locus in the complex structure moduli space.

• We discuss typical features of moduli stabilization due to the logarithmic structure of the periods over the Calabi-Yau threefold.
• Integrating out heavy moduli implies exponential terms in the superpotential very reminiscent of non-perturbative contributions.
• Ultimately, these terms can lead to an alignment of axions potentially realizing large-field inflation.