Canonical Kinetic Term Research Articles

No time to derive: unraveling total time derivatives in in-in perturbation theory

The in-in formalism provides a way to systematically organize the calculation of primordial correlation functions. Although its theoretical foundations are now firmly settled, the treatment of total time derivative interactions, incorrectly trivialized as “boundary terms”, has been the subject of intense discussions and conceptual mistakes. In this work, we demystify the use of total time derivatives — as well as terms proportional to the linear equations of motion — and show that they can lead to artificially large contributions cancelling at different orders of the in-in operator formalism. We discuss the treatment of total time derivative interactions in the Lagrangian path integral formulation of the in-in perturbation theory, and we showcase the importance of interaction terms proportional to linear equations of motion. We then provide a new route to the calculation of primordial correlation functions, which avoids the generation of total time derivatives, by working directly at the level of the full Hamiltonian in terms of phase-space variables. Instead of integrating by parts, we perform canonical transformations to simplify interactions. We explain how to retrieve correlation functions of the initial phase-space variables from the knowledge of the ones after canonical transformations. As an important first application, we find the explicit sizes of Hamiltonian cubic interactions in single-field inflation with canonical kinetic terms and for any background evolution, straight in terms of the primordial curvature perturbation and its canonical conjugate momentum, as well as the corresponding ones in the tensor sector, and the ones mixing scalars and tensors. We also briefly comment on quartic interactions. Our results are important for performing complete calculations of exchange diagrams in inflation, such as the (scalar and tensor) exchange trispectrum and the one-loop power spectrum. Being already written in a form amenable to characterize quantum properties of primordial fluctuations, they also promise to shed light on the non-linear dynamics of quantum states during inflation.

Non-canonical Higgs inflation

The large value of non-minimal coupling constant ξ required to satisfy cosmic microwave background observations in Higgs inflation violates unitarity. In this work we study Higgs-inflation with non-canonical kinetic term of DBI form to find whether ξ can be reduced. To study the inflationary dynamics, we transform the action to the Einstein frame, in which the Higgs is minimally coupled to gravity with a non-canonical kinetic term and modified potential. We choose the Higgs self coupling constant λ = 0.14 for our analysis. We find that the value of ξ can be reduced from 103–104 to O(10) to satisfy Planck constraints on amplitude of scalar power spectrum. However, this model produces a larger tensor-to-scalar ratio r, in comparison to the Higgs inflation with canonical kinetic term. We also find that, to satisfy joint constraints on scalar spectral index ns and tensor-to-scalar ratio r from Planck-2018 and bounds on r from Planck and BICEP3, the value of ξ should be of the order of 104. Thus, the issue of unitarity violation remains even after considering Higgs inflation with non-canonical kinetic term.

ON-GAUSSIANITY AND LOOP CORRECTIONS IN A QUADRATIC TWO-FIELD SLOW-ROLL MODEL OF INFLATION. PART I

I am showing in this paper that it is possible to attain very high, including observable, values for the leve! of non-gaussianity f N L in a particular quadratic two-field slow-roll model of inflation with canonical kinetic terms. This is done by taking care of loop corrections both in the spectrum Pζ and the bispectrum Bζ; of the primordial curvature perturbation ζ. Sizable values for f N L arise even if ζ is generated during inflation. Five issues are considered when constraining the available parameter space: 1. we must ensure that we are in a perturbative regime so that the ζ series expansion, and its truncation, are valid. 2. we must apply the correct condition for the (possible) loop dominance in Bζ and/or Pζ. 3 we must satisfy the spectrum normalisation condition. 4. we must satisfy the spectral tilt constraint. 5. we must have enough inflation to sol ve the horizon problem.

NON-GAUSSIANITY AND LOOP CORRECTIONS IN A QUADRATIC TWO-FIELD SLOW-ROLL MODEL OF INFLATION. PART 11

We calculate the trispectrum Tζ (k1 , k2 , k3, k4) of the primordial curvature perturbation ζ, gener­ated during a slow-roll inflationary epoch and considering a quadratic two-component scalar potential and canonical kinetic terms. We consider one-loop and tree leve] contlibutions, and show that it is pos­sible to attain observable values for the leve! of non-gaussianity T N L, if Tζ; is dominated by the one-loop contlibution. This work is performed by taking into account that there exists sorne physical restrictions that constrain the available parameter window. Such conditions are: thc existence of sorne coupling constants that guarantee the calculation in a perturbative regime, the relative weight of the one-loop and tree leve! contributions, the normalisation of the spectrum, the observed spectral index, and the mini mal amount of inflation required to solve the horizon problem.

Self-tuning of the cosmological constant in brane-worlds with P(X,ϕ)

We revisit the idea of self-tuning the observed cosmological constant to a vanishing value and promote it to a selection criterion of brane-world models, in which our Universe is described by a 3-brane embedded in a 5d bulk. As a concrete setup, we consider a bulk scalar field ϕ described by a general Lagrangian P(X,ϕ) with X = -(∂ϕ)2/2. By requiring that the model enforces the 4d curvature of the maximally symmetric 3-brane world-volume to vanish independently of the 4d effective vacuum energy, only two possibilities remain: one with a canonical bulk kinetic term and the other with an unconventional bulk kinetic term similar to a Cuscuton field. Further demanding the absence of bulk singularity, the latter is selected as a unique possibility within the class of models. At the background level, the solution can accommodate any warp factor profile free from bulk singularity and with a finite effective 4d Planck mass. In a cosmological context, our solution would describe our (almost) flat Universe at late times, with a bulk warp factor profile expected to be determined by the evolution of the Universe before dilution of the matter fields by cosmic expansion. Eventually, a simple analysis is performed in the bulk showing no obvious instability around the background solution. A full stability analysis taking into account brane bending modes is nevertheless necessary and left for future work.

Conformally coupled theories and their deformed compact objects: From black holes, radiating spacetimes to eternal wormholes

We study a higher order conformally coupled scalar tensor theory endowed with a covariant geometric constraint relating the scalar curvature with the Gauss-Bonnet scalar. It is a particular Horndeski theory including a canonical kinetic term but without shift or parity symmetry for the scalar. The theory also stems from a Kaluza-Klein reduction of a well defined higher dimensional metric theory. Properties of an asymptotically flat spherically symmetric black hole are analyzed, and new slowly rotating and radiating extensions are found. Through disformal transformations of the static configurations, gravitating monopole-like solutions and eternal wormholes are presented. The latter are shown to extract from spacetime possible naked singularities, yielding completely regular and asymptotically flat spacetimes.

Cartan F(R) Gravity and Equivalent Scalar–Tensor Theory

We investigate the Cartan formalism in F(R) gravity. F(R) gravity has been introduced as a theory to explain cosmologically accelerated expansions by replacing the Ricci scalar R in the Einstein–Hilbert action with a function of R. As is well-known, F(R) gravity is rewritten as a scalar–tensor theory by using the conformal transformation. Cartan F(R) gravity is described based on the Riemann–Cartan geometry formulated by the vierbein-associated local Lorenz symmetry. In the Cartan formalism, the Ricci scalar R is divided into two parts: one derived from the Levi–Civita connection and the other from the torsion. Assuming the spin connection-independent matter action, we have successfully rewritten the action of Cartan F(R) gravity into the Einstein–Hilbert action and a scalar field with canonical kinetic and potential terms without any conformal transformations. red Thus, symmetries in Cartan F(R) gravity are clearly conserved. The resulting scalar–tensor theory is useful in applications of the usual slow-roll scenario. As a simple case, we employ the Starobinsky model and evaluate fluctuations in cosmological microwave background radiation.

Multi-field cold and warm inflation and the de Sitter swampland conjectures

We discuss under which conditions multi-field cold and warminflationary models with canonical kinetic energy terms are compatiblewith the swampland conjectures about the emergence of de Sitter solutionsin string theory. We find that under quite general conditions the slow-rollconditions for multi-field cold inflation are at odds with the swamplandconjectures for an arbitrary number of scalar fields driving inflation.However, slow-roll conditions can be reconciled with the swampland conjecturesin the strong dissipative regime of warm inflation.

Compact objects of spherical symmetry in beyond Horndeski theories

We analyse in all generality beyond Horndeski theories of shift symmetry in a static and spherically symmetric spacetime. By introducing four auxiliary functions, we write the field equations in a particularly compact form. We show that assuming additionally parity symmetry renders the system directly integrable giving multiple families of black-hole solutions. These have typically an asymptotically-flat Reissner-Nordstrom behaviour, and emerge in the presence of a canonical kinetic term for the scalar field. In the absence of parity symmetry, we present a general method which allows us to integrate the field equations by choosing the form of only one coupling function and an auxiliary quantity. This method leads to asymptotically flat and AdS black hole solutions with differing properties. We finally discuss disformal transformations within this context as a means of obtaining wormhole and black hole solutions in different theories.

Reconstruction in the Horndeski theory within the scope of the Bianchi I cosmology

In this paper, [R. K. Muharlyamov and T. N. Pankratyeva, Eur. Phys. J. Plus 136, 590 (2021)] we have proposed a reconstruction method for the kinetic gravity braiding theory in the framework of the flat Friedman–Robertson–Walker spacetime. Here, we develop this method in the Bianchi I spacetime model for a subclass of the Horndeski theory: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. The Hubble parameter [Formula: see text] and the canonical kinetic term [Formula: see text] are set a priori. The choice of the function [Formula: see text] determines the anisotropic properties of the Universe. This makes it possible to provide believable anisotropy. The presented method allows for a realistic model of the Universe to simply reconstruct some scalar field theory. Reconstruction example is given for anisotropic model of a post-inflationary transition to the radiation-dominated phase. The model is investigated for the absence ghosts and Laplacian instabilities.

Q-Balls formation and the production of gravitational waves with non-minimal gravitational coupling

We propose to introduce non-minimal couplings of Affleck–Dine (AD) field to gravity by adding the coupling of AD field to the Ricci scalar curvature. As the Jordan frame supergravity always predict |Phi |^2 {{mathcal {R}}}/6 type coupling for scalars with canonical kinetic terms, we propose a way to realize the required c_0|Phi |^2 {{mathcal {R}}}-type couplings with generic c_0 for canonical complex scalar fields after SUSY breaking. The impacts of such non-minimal gravitational couplings for AD field is shown, especially on the Q-balls formation and the associated gravitational wave (GW) productions. New form of scalar potential for AD field in the Einstein frame is obtained. By numerical simulations, we find that, with non-minimal gravitational coupling to AD field, Q-balls can successfully form even with the choice of non-negative K parameter for xi >0. The associated GW productions as well as their dependences on the xi parameter are also discussed.

Lower Tensor to Scalar Ratio in a SUGRA Motivated Inflationary Potential

A scalar potential obtained from the $D$-term in the Supergravity models, which dominates over $F$ term and is mainly responsible for the inflationary phase in the early universe, is studied. The potential with canonical kinetic terms for scalar fields in the Lagrangian, has a very slow roll feature in comparison to various other plateau type inflationary potentials. In this case, a much lower tensor-to-scalar ratio ($r$) of $\mathcal{O}(10^{-3})$ is achievable. The requirement of slow roll condition for the inflation potential implies that the up type neutral scalar and the down type neutral scalar in Supergravity models are with equal field strength at the time of inflation. If this relationship holds down to the electroweak scale for the corresponding $vev$ values of these fields, then it will indicate a higher SUSY breaking scale around 100 TeV. The predicted values of the inflationary observables are well within the 1-$\sigma$ bounds of the recent constraints from {\it Planck'18} observations. The era of reheating after the inflationary phase, is also studied and the bounds on the reheating temperature ($T_{re}$) is calculated for a different equation of states during reheating ($w_{re}$) for the {\it Planck'18} allowed values of the scalar spectral index ($n_s$). For our model with $w_{re}=2/3$ and $w_{re}=1$, after satisfying all the bounds due to gravitino overproduction, we can have big parameter space for $T_{re}$ which is well inside {\it Planck'18} 1-$\sigma$ bound on $n_s$.

Constant‐Roll Inflation in the Generalized SU(2) Proca Theory

AbstractThe generalized SU(2) Proca theory (GSU2P) is a variant of the well known generalized Proca theory where the vector field belongs to the Lie algebra of the SU(2) group of global transformations under which the action is made invariant. New interesting possibilities arise in this framework because of the existence of new interactions of purely non‐Abelian character and new configurations of the vector field resulting in spatial spherical symmetry and the cosmological dynamics being driven by the propagating degrees of freedom. We study the 2D phase space of the system that results when the cosmic triad configuration is employed in the Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker background and find an attractor curve whose attraction basin both covers almost all the allowed region and does not include a Big‐Bang singularity. Such an attractor curve corresponds to a primordial inflationary solution that has the following characteristic properties: 1) it is a de Sitter solution whose Hubble parameter is regulated by a generalized version of the SU(2) group coupling constant, 2) it is constant‐roll including, as a limiting case, the slow‐roll variety, 3) a number of e‐folds is easily reached, 4) it has a graceful exit into a radiation dominated period powered by the canonical kinetic term of the vector field and the Einstein–Hilbert term. The free parameters of the action are chosen such that the tensor sector of the theory is the same as that of general relativity at least up to second‐order perturbations, thereby avoiding the presence of ghost and Laplacian instabilities in the tensor sector as well as making the gravity waves propagate at light speed. This is a proof of concept of the interesting properties that could be found in this scenario when the coupling constants be replaced by general coupling functions and more terms be discovered in the GSU2P.

The hidden fluxes, that control the fluctuations of scalar fields

The fluctuations of scalar fields, that are invariant under rotations of the worldvolume, in Euclidian signature, can be described by a system of Langevin equations. These equations can be understood as defining a change of variables in the functional integral for the noise, with which the physical degrees of freedom are in equilibrium. The absolute value of the Jacobian of this change of variables therefore repackages the fluctuations. This provides a new way of relating the number and properties of scalar fields with the consistent and complete description of their fluctuations and is another way of understanding the relevance of supersymmetry, which, in this way, determines the minimal number of real scalar fields (e.g. two in two dimensions, four in three dimensions and eight in four dimensions), in order for the system to be consistently closed.The classical action of the scalar fields, obtained in this way, contains a surface term and a remainder, in addition to the canonical kinetic and potential terms. The surface term describes possible flux contributions in the presence of boundaries, while the remainder describes additional interactions, that can’t be absorbed in a redefinition of the canonical terms. It is, however, through its combination with the surface term that the noise fields can be recovered, in all cases. However their identities can be subject to anomalies.What is of particular, practical, interest is the identification of the noise fields, as functions of the scalars, whose correlation functions are Gaussian. This implies new identities, between the scalars, that can be probed in real, or computer, experiments.

A classical, non-singular, bouncing universe

We present a model for a classical, non-singular bouncing cosmology without violation of the null energy condition (NEC). The field content is General Relativity plus a real scalar field with a canonical kinetic term and only renormalizable, polynomial-type self-interactions for the scalar field in the Jordan frame. The universe begins vacuum-energy dominated and is contracting at t=-∞. We consider a closed universe with a positive spatial curvature, which is responsible for the universe bouncing without any NEC violation. An Rϕ2 coupling between the Ricci scalar and the scalar field drives the scalar field from the initial false vacuum to the true vacuum during the bounce. The model is sub-Planckian throughout its evolution and every dimensionful parameter is below the effective-field-theory scale MP, so we expect no ghost-type or tachyonic instabilities. This model solves the horizon problem and extends co-moving particle geodesics to past infinity, resulting in a geodesically complete universe without singularities. We solve the Friedman equations and the scalar-field equation of motion numerically, and analytically under certain approximations.

Higher derivative supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models on Hermitian symmetric spaces and BPS states therein

We formulate four-dimensional $\mathcal{N} = 1$ supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models on Hermitian symmetric spaces with higher derivative terms, free from the auxiliary field problem and the Ostrogradski's ghosts, as gauged linear sigma models. We then study Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield equations preserving 1/2 or 1/4 supersymmetries. We find that there are distinct branches, that we call canonical ($F=0$) and non-canonical ($F\neq 0$) branches, associated with solutions to auxiliary fields $F$ in chiral multiplets. For the ${\mathbb C}P^N$ model, we obtain a supersymmetric ${\mathbb C}P^N$ Skyrme-Faddeev model in the canonical branch while in the non-canonical branch the Lagrangian consists of solely the ${\mathbb C}P^N$ Skyrme-Faddeev term without a canonical kinetic term. These structures can be extended to the Grassmann manifold $G_{M,N} = SU(M)/[SU(M-N)\times SU(N) \times U(1)]$. For other Hermitian symmetric spaces such as the quadric surface $Q^{N-2}=SO(N)/[SO(N-2) \times U(1)])$, we impose F-term (holomorphic) constraints for embedding them into ${\mathbb C}P^{N-1}$ or Grassmann manifold. We find that these constraints are consistent in the canonical branch but yield additional constraints on the dynamical fields thus reducing the target spaces in the non-canonical branch.

Implementation of two‐field inflation for cosmic linear anisotropy solving system

We outline the modifications in the numerical Boltzmann code Cosmic Linear Anisotropy Solving System (CLASS) in order to include extra inflationary fields. The functioning of the code is first described, how and where modifications are meant to be done are later explained. In the present study, we focus on the modifications needed for the implementation of a two‐field inflationary model, with canonical kinetic terms and a polynomial potential with no cross terms, presenting preliminary results for the effect of the second field on the spectra. The adaptability of the code is exploited, making use of the classes and structures of C and the generic Runge–Kutta integration tool provided by the program.

Testing H0 in acoustic dark energy models with Planck and ACT polarization data

The canonical acoustic dark energy model (cADE), which is based on a scalar field with a canonical kinetic term that rapidly converts potential to kinetic energy around matter radiation equality, alleviates the Hubble tension found in $\Lambda$CDM. We show that it successfully passes new consistency tests in the CMB damping tail provided by the ACT data, while being increasingly constrained and distinguished from alternate mechanisms by the improved CMB acoustic polarization data from Planck. The best fit cADE model to a suite of cosmological observations, including the SH0ES $H_0$ measurement, has $H_0=70.25$ compared with $68.23$ (km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$) in $\Lambda$CDM and a finite cADE component is preferred at the $2.8\sigma$ level. The ability to raise $H_0$ is now mainly constrained by the improved Planck acoustic polarization data, which also plays a crucial role in distinguishing cADE from the wider class of early dark energy models. ACT and Planck TE polarization data are currently mildly discrepant in normalization and drive correspondingly different preferences in parameters. Improved constraints on intermediate scale polarization approaching the cosmic variance limit will be an incisive test of the acoustic dynamics of these models and their alternatives.

Nonlinear σ -models in the Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity

In this paper we consider two different nonlinear $\sigma$-models minimally coupled to Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity. We show that the resultant geometries represent minimal modifications with respect to those found in GR, though with important physical consequences. In particular, wormhole structures always arise, though this does not guarantee by itself the geodesic completeness of those space-times. In one of the models, quadratic in the canonical kinetic term, we identify a subset of solutions which are regular everywhere and are geodesically complete. We discuss characteristic features of these solutions and their dependence on the relationship between mass and global charge.

Exploring the inflation of F(R) gravity

The early-time expansion of the spacetime, namely, inflation, is introduced to solve some cosmological problems. [Formula: see text] gravity is a simple extension of the general relativity to induce the inflationary expansion. The precise observation of the Cosmic Microwave Background gives us the information to inspect the model of the inflation. [Formula: see text] gravity can be transformed to the Einstein–Hilbert term with a scalar field that plays the role of the inflaton. The inflaton potential is described as an explicit function of the inflaton field with a noncanonical kinetic term. In this paper, we obtain general formulae to derive the inflationary parameters including the models with a noncanonical kinetic term. The inflationary parameters are described as functions of the inflaton potential and its derivatives. We evaluate a well-known model, [Formula: see text], to confirm the validity of our formulae. Then, we apply the procedure to a model, [Formula: see text], in which it is not possible to represent the potential as an explicit function of the inflaton field with a canonical kinetic term.