Low-energy quantum string cosmology

Abstract

We introduce a Wheeler-De Witt approach to quantum cosmology based on the low-energy string effective action, with an effective dilaton potential included to account for non-perturbative effects and, possibly, higher-order corrections. We classify, in particular, four different classes of scattering processes in minisuperspace, and discuss their relevance for the solution of the graceful exit problem.Comment: Extended version to appear in the Review section of Int. J. Theor. Phys. A 13 (1998). The new permanent address is added. An updated collection of papers on the pre-big bang scenario is available at http://www.to.infn.it/~gasperi