Baryon Isocurvature Perturbations Research Articles

Comparable dark matter and baryon abundances with a heavy dark sector

We propose a scenario that explains the comparable abundances of dark matter (DM) and baryons without any coincidence in the corresponding particle masses. Here, DM corresponds to heavy “dark baryons” in a hidden MSSM-like dark sector, where the supersymmetry breaking scale can be several orders of magnitude larger than in the visible sector. In both sectors a baryon asymmetry is generated via the Affleck-Dine mechanism, and the smaller dark baryon-to-entropy ratio partially compensates the larger dark baryon masses to give similar densities in the two sectors. The large mass hierarchy also naturally results in an asymmetric reheating of these sequestered sectors. Moreover, this scenario predicts uncorrelated DM and baryon isocurvature perturbations.

Probing small-scale baryon and dark matter isocurvature perturbations with cosmic microwave background anisotropies

The Universe's initial conditions, in particular baryon and cold dark matter (CDM) isocurvature perturbations, are poorly constrained on sub-Mpc scales. In this paper, we develop a new formalism to compute the effect of small-scale baryon perturbations on the mean free-electron abundance, thus on cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies. Our framework can accommodate perturbations with arbitrary time and scale dependence. We apply this formalism to four different combinations of baryon and CDM isocurvature modes, and use Planck CMB-anisotropy data to probe their initial amplitude. We find that Planck data is consistent with no small-scale isocurvature perturbations, and that this additional ingredient does not help alleviate the Hubble tension. We set upper bounds to the dimensionless initial power spectrum $\Delta_{\mathcal{I}}^2(k)$ of these isocurvature modes at comoving wavenumbers $1~\textrm{Mpc}^{-1} \le k \le 10^3$ Mpc$^{-1}$, for several parameterizations. For a scale-invariant power spectrum, our 95% confidence-level limits on $\Delta_{\mathcal{I}}^2$ are 0.023 for pure baryon isocurvature, 0.099 for pure CDM isocurvature, 0.026 for compensated baryon-CDM perturbations, and 0.009 for joint baryon-CDM isocurvature perturbations. Using a Fisher analysis generalized to non-analytic parameter dependence, we forecast that a CMB Stage-4 experiment would be able to probe small-scale isocurvature perturbations with initial power 3 to 10 times smaller than Planck limits. The formalism introduced in this work is very general and can be used more widely to probe any physical processes or initial conditions sourcing small-scale baryon perturbations.

Baryon isocurvature constraints on the primordial hypermagnetic fields

It has been pointed out that hypermagnetic helicity decay at the electroweak symmetry breaking may have produced the observed baryon asymmetry of the Universe through the chiral anomaly in the standard model of particle physics. Although fully helical magnetic field that can adequately produce the observed baryon asymmetry is not strong enough to explain the origin of the intergalactic magnetic field inferred by the Fermi satellite, the mixture of helical and nonhelical primordial magnetic fields may explain both baryogenesis and the intergalactic magnetic fields simultaneously. We first show that such a scenario is ruled out by the constraint on the amplitude of baryon isocurvature perturbations produced by the primordial magnetic fields to avoid overproduction of deuterium at the big bang nucleosynthesis. Then we show that any attempt to explain the origin of intergalactic magnetic field by primordial magnetogenesis before the electroweak symmetry breaking does not work due to the above constraint irrespective of the helicity and baryogenesis mechanism.

Cosmic perturbations, baryon asymmetry, and dark matter from the minimal supersymmetric standard model

Scalar fields in the minimal supersymmetric standard model may have large field values during inflation. Because of approximate global symmetry, it is plausible that the phase directions of them are nearly massless during inflation and obtain quantum fluctuations, which may be the origin of the cosmic perturbations. If perturbations are produced through Q-ball formation, baryon asymmetry and dark matter can be consistently generated. Significant baryon and dark matter isocurvature perturbations are produced, but they are predicted to nearly compensate each other. The lepton asymmetry is much larger than the baryon asymmetry. The scenario predicts local non-Gaussianity of $f_{\rm NL} = 5/3$. Implication to the mass spectrum of supersymmetric particles is discussed.

Inflaton as the Affleck-Dine baryogenesis field in hilltop supernatural inflation

In this paper, we investigate the parameter space in the framework of hilltop supernatural inflation in which the inflaton field can play the role of Affleck-Dine field to produce successful baryogenesis. The suitable value of reheating temperature could coincide with the reheating temperature required to produce lightest supersymmetric particle dark matter. The baryon isocurvature perturbation is shown to be negligible. We consider $p=3$, $p=4$, and $p=6$ type III hilltop inflation and discuss how to connect the models to supersymmetric theories.

Big Bang nucleosynthesis constraint on baryonic isocurvature perturbations

We study the effect of large baryonic isocurvature perturbations on the abundance of deuterium (D) produced in big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN). Large baryonic isocurvature perturbations existing at the BBN epoch (T∼ 0.1 MeV) change the D abundance by a second order effect, which, together with the recent precise measurement of D abundance, leads to a constraint on the amplitude of the power spectrum of the baryonic isocurvature perturbations. We derive the upper limit on the amplitude \U0001d4abSB≲ 0.016 (2σ) for scales k−1 ≳ 0.0025 pc. This is the most stringent constraint for 0.1 Mpc-1 ≲ k ≲ 4 × 108 Mpc-1. We apply the BBN constraint to the relaxation leptogenesis scenario, where large baryonic isocurvature perturbations are produced in the last Nlast e-fold of inflation, and we obtain a constraint on Nlast.

Exploring compensated isocurvature perturbations with CMB spectral distortion anisotropies

We develop a linear perturbation theory for the spectral y-distortions of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The y-distortions generated during the recombination epoch are usually negligible because the energy transfer due to the Compton scattering is strongly suppressed at that time, but they can be significant if there is a considerable amount of compensated isocurvature perturbation (CIP), which is not tightly constrained from the present CMB observations. The linear y-distortions explicitly depend on the baryon density fluctuations, therefore y anisotropies can completely resolve the degeneracy between the baryon isocurvature perturbations and the cold dark matter ones. This novel method is free from lensing contaminations that can affect the previous approach to the CIPs based on the nonlinear modulation of the CMB anisotropies. We compute the cross correlation functions of the y-distortions with the CMB temperature and the E mode polarization anisotropies. They are sensitive to the correlated CIPs parameterized by f′≡\U0001d4abCIPζ/\U0001d4abζ ζ with \U0001d4abζ ζ and \U0001d4abCIPζ being the auto correlation of the adiabatic perturbations and the cross correlation between them and the CIPs. We investigate how well the y anisotropies will constrain f′ in future observations such as those provided by a PIXIE-like and a PRISM-like survey, LiteBIRD and a cosmic variance limited (CVL) survey, taking into account the degradation in constraining power due to the presence of Sunyaev Zel'dovich effect from galaxy clusters. For example, our forecasts show that it is possible to achieve an upper limit of {f′< 2 × 105} at 68% C.L. with LiteBIRD, and f′<2× 104 with CVL observations.

Adiabatic out-of-equilibrium solutions to the Boltzmann equation in warm inflation

We show that, in warm inflation, the nearly constant Hubble rate and temperature lead to an adiabatic evolution of the number density of particles interacting with the thermal bath, even if thermal equilibrium cannot be maintained. In this case, the number density is suppressed compared to the equilibrium value but the associated phase-space distribution retains approximately an equilibrium form, with a smaller amplitude and a slightly smaller effective temperature. As an application, we explicitly construct a baryogenesis mechanism during warm inflation based on the out-of-equilibrium decay of particles in such an adiabatically evolving state. We show that this generically leads to small baryon isocurvature perturbations, within the bounds set by the Planck satellite. These are correlated with the main adiabatic curvature perturbations but exhibit a distinct spectral index, which may constitute a smoking gun for baryogenesis during warm inflation. Finally, we discuss the prospects for other applications of adiabatically evolving out-of-equilibrium states.

Relaxation leptogenesis, isocurvature perturbations, and the cosmic infrared background

Observations of cosmic infrared background (CIB) radiation exhibit significant fluctuations on small angular scales. A number of explanations have been put forth, but there is currently no consensus on the origin of these large fluctuations. We consider the possibility that small-scale fluctuations in matter-antimatter asymmetry could lead to variations in star formation rates which are responsible for the CIB fluctuations. We show that the recently proposed Higgs relaxation leptogenesis mechanism can produce such small-scale baryonic isocurvature perturbations which can explain the observed excess in the CIB fluctuations.

Spontaneous baryogenesis without baryon isocurvature

We propose a new class of spontaneous baryogenesis models that does not produce baryon isocurvature perturbations. The baryon chemical potential in these models is independent of the field value of the baryon-generating scalar, hence the scalar field fluctuations are blocked from propagating into the baryon isocurvature. We demonstrate this mechanism in simple examples where spontaneous baryogenesis is driven by a non-canonical scalar field. The suppression of the baryon isocurvature allows spontaneous baryogenesis to be compatible even with high-scale inflation.

Cosmological aspects of spontaneous baryogenesis

We investigate cosmological aspects of spontaneous baryogenesis driven by a scalar field, and present general constraints that are independent of the particle physics model. The relevant constraints are obtained by studying the backreaction of the produced baryons on the scalar field, the cosmological expansion history after baryogenesis, and the baryon isocurvature perturbations. We show that cosmological considerations alone provide powerful constraints, especially for the minimal scenario with a quadratic scalar potential. Intriguingly, we find that for a given inflation scale, the other parameters including the reheat temperature, decoupling temperature of the baryon violating interactions, and the mass and decay constant of the scalar are restricted to lie within ranges of at most a few orders of magnitude. We also discuss possible extensions to the minimal setup, and propose two ideas for evading constraints on isocurvature perturbations: one is to suppress the baryon isocurvature with nonquadratic scalar potentials, another is to compensate the baryon isocurvature with cold dark matter isocurvature by making the scalar survive until the present.

Axion domain wall baryogenesis

We propose a new scenario of baryogenesis, in which annihilation of axion domain walls generates a sizable baryon asymmetry. Successful baryogenesis is possible for a wide range of the axion mass and decay constant, m ≃ 108–1013 GeV and f ≃ 1013–1016 GeV . Baryonic isocurvature perturbations are significantly suppressed in our model, in contrast to various spontaneous baryogenesis scenarios in the slow-roll regime. In particular, the axion domain wall baryogenesis is consistent with high-scale inflation which generates a large tensor-to-scalar ratio within the reach of future CMB B-mode experiments. We also discuss the gravitational waves produced by the domain wall annihilation and its implications for the future gravitational wave experiments.

Fluctuation-dissipation dynamics of cosmological scalar fields

We show that dissipative effects have a significant impact on the evolution of cosmological scalar fields, leading to friction, entropy production and field fluctuations. We explicitly compute the dissipation coefficient for different scalar fields within the Standard Model and some of its most widely considered extensions, in different parametric regimes. We describe the generic consequences of fluctuation-dissipation dynamics in the post-inflationary universe, focusing in particular on friction and particle production, and analyze in detail two important effects. Firstly, we show that dissipative friction delays the process of spontaneous symmetry breaking and may even damp the the motion of a Higgs field sufficiently to induce a late period of warm inflation. Along with dissipative entropy production, this may parametrically dilute the abundance of dangerous thermal relics. Secondly, we show that dissipation can generate the observed baryon asymmetry without symmetry restoration, and we develop in detail a model of dissipative leptogenesis. We further show that this generically leads to characteristic baryon isocurvature perturbations that can be tested with CMB observations. This work provides a fundamental framework to go beyond the leading thermal equilibrium semi-classical approximation in addressing fundamental problems in modern cosmology.

Affleck-Dine baryogenesis afterD-term inflation and solutions to the baryon-dark matter coincidence problem

We investigate the Affleck-Dine baryogenesis after D-term inflation with a positive Hubble-induced mass term for a B-L flat direction. It stays at a large field value during D-term inflation, and just after inflation ends it starts to oscillate around the origin of the potential due to the positive Hubble-induced mass term. The phase direction is kicked by higher-dimensional Kahler potentials to generate the B-L asymmetry. The scenario predicts nonzero baryonic isocurvature perturbations, which would be detected by future observations of CMB fluctuations. We also provide a D-term inflation model which naturally explain the coincidence of the energy density of baryon and dark matter.

CDM/baryon isocurvature perturbations in a sneutrino curvaton model

Matter isocurvature perturbations are strictly constrained from cosmic microwave background observations. We study a sneutrino curvaton model where both cold dark matter (CDM)/baryon isocurvature perturbations are generated. In our model, total matter isocurvature perturbations are reduced since the CDM/baryon isocurvature perturbations compensate for each other. We show that this model can not only avoid the stringent observational constraints but also suppress temperature anisotropies on large scales, which leads to improved agreement with observations.

Anthropically selected baryon number and isocurvature constraints

The similarity of the observed baryon and dark matter densities suggests that they are physically related, either via a particle physics mechanism or anthropic selection. A pre-requisite for anthropic selection is the generation of superhorizon-sized domains of different ΩB/ΩDM. Here we consider generation of domains of different baryon density via random variations of the phase or magnitude of a complex field Φ during inflation. Baryon isocurvature perturbations are a natural consequence of any such mechanism. We derive baryon isocurvature bounds on the expansion rate during inflation HI and on the mass parameter μ which breaks the global U(1) symmetry of the Φ potential. We show that when μ ≲ HI (as expected in SUSY models) the baryon isocurvature constraints can be satisfied only if HI is unusually small, HI < 107GeV, or if non-renormalizable Planck-suppressed corrections to the Φ potential are excluded to a high order. Alternatively, an unsuppressed Φ potential is possible if μ is sufficiently large, μ ≳ 1016GeV. We show that the baryon isocurvature constraints can be naturally satisfied in Affleck-Dine baryogenesis, as a result of the high-order suppression of non-renormalizable terms along MSSM flat directions.

Warm baryogenesis

We show that a baryon asymmetry can be generated by dissipative effects during warm inflation via a supersymmetric two-stage mechanism, where the inflaton is coupled to heavy mediator fields that then decay into light species through B- and CP-violating interactions. In contrast with thermal GUT baryogenesis models, the temperature during inflation is always below the heavy mass threshold, simultaneously suppressing thermal and quantum corrections to the inflaton potential and the production of dangerous GUT relics. This naturally gives a small baryon asymmetry close to the observed value, although parametrically larger values may be diluted after inflation along with any gravitino overabundance. Furthermore, this process yields baryon isocurvature perturbations within the range of future experiments, making this an attractive and testable model of GUT baryogenesis.

Affleck-Dine baryogenesis in inflating curvaton scenario with \U0001d4aa(10–102 TeV) mass moduli curvaton

We study the Affleck-Dine (AD) baryogenesis in the inflating curvaton scenario, when the curvaton is a moduli field with \U0001d4aa(10–102 TeV) mass. A moduli field with such mass is known to be free from the Polonyi problem, and furthermore its decay products can explain the present cold dark matter abundance. In our scenario, it further explains the primordial curvature perturbation and the present baryon density all together. The current observational bound on the baryon isocurvature perturbation, which severely constrains the AD baryogenesis with the original oscillating moduli curvaton scenario, is shown to put practically negligible constraint if we replace the oscillating curvaton with the inflating curvaton.

Non-gaussianity from baryon asymmetry

We study a scenario that large non-Gaussianity arises from the baryonasymmetry of the Universe. There are baryogenesis scenarios containinga light scalar field, which may result in baryonic isocurvatureperturbations with some amount of non-Gaussianity. As an explicitexample we consider the Affleck-Dine mechanism and show that a flatdirection of the supersymmeteric standard model can generate largenon-Gaussianity in the curvature perturbations, satisfying theobservational constraints on the baryonic isocurvatureperturbations. The sign of a non-linearity parameter, fNL, isnegative, if the Affleck-Dine mechanism accounts for the observedbaryon asymmetry; otherwise it can be either positive or negative.

Baryogenesis via leptogenesis in an inhomogeneous universe

We investigate the influence of primordial perturbations of the energy density and space-time metric on the generation of the lepton and baryon asymmetries. In the weak and strong washout regimes baryon isocurvature perturbations with amplitudes of the same order as those of the cosmic microwave background perturbations are generated on scales of order of the respective Hubble scale. They are, however, washed out by baryon and photon diffusion at the later stages of the universe's evolution.