E-folds Of Inflation Research Articles

Adiabatic approach to the trans-Planckian problem in loop quantum cosmology

We study the scalar modes that, being observable today, were trans-Planckian before inflation, within the context of hybrid loop quantum cosmology (LQC). We analyze the dynamics of these highly ultraviolet modes by introducing modified dispersion relations to their equations of motion and discuss the impact that these relations would introduce in the power spectrum by computing the adiabaticity coefficient. More precisely, we consider two different models compatible with observations for the standard linear dispersion relation which are based on different initial conditions for the perturbations and background. One of these models avoids the issue altogether by generating less e-folds of inflation, so that the observable modes are never trans-Planckian, whereas the other suffers (arguably softly) from the trans-Planckian problem. This shows that the existence of the trans-Planckian problem in LQC is model dependent. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Early vs late string networks from a minimal QCD Axion

We propose a new regime of minimal QCD axion dark matter that lies between the pre- and post-inflationary scenarios, such that the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry is restored only on sufficiently large spatial scales. This leads to a novel cosmological evolution, in which strings and domain walls re-enter the horizon and annihilate later than in the ordinary post-inflationary regime, possibly even after the QCD crossover. Such dynamics can occur if the PQ symmetry is restored by inflationary fluctuations, i.e. the Hubble parameter during inflation HI is larger than the PQ breaking scale fa, but it is not thermally restored afterwards. Solving the Fokker-Planck equation, we estimate the number of inflationary e-folds required for the PQ symmetry to be, on average, restored. Moreover, we show that, in the large parts of parameter space where the radial mode is displaced from the minimum by de Sitter fluctuations, a string network forms due to the radial mode oscillating over the top of its potential after inflation. In both cases we identify order one ranges in HI/fa and in the quartic coupling λ of the PQ potential that lead to the late-string dynamics. In this regime the cosmological dark matter abundance can be reproduced for axion decay constants as low as the astrophysical constraint \U0001d4aa(108) GeV, corresponding to axion masses up to 10−2 eV, and with miniclusters with masses as large as \U0001d4aa(10)M⊙.

Removing the cosmological bound on the axion scale in the Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov and Dine-Fischler-Srednicki-Zhitnitsky models

It is known for some time that the cosmological bound on the invisible axion scale can be avoided by an early phase of strong QCD. While most approaches rely on theories where the strong coupling constant is determined through the expectation value of some scalar field, we show that this mechanism can also be implemented into the benchmark KSVZ and DFSZ models when the early phase of strong QCD emerges by the modification of the running coupling during inflation. For both models the physics that are responsible for making QCD strong do not displace the axions minimum by too much, so that the efficiency of the relaxation is controlled by parameters of the theory and the number of inflationary e-folds. In particular, we consider the case of very efficient relaxation where the axion abundance is dominated by inflationary quantum and post-inflationary thermal fluctuations. Within this situation we identify the parameter space compatible with all cosmological constrains and derive conditions on the reheating temperature and the QCD scale during inflation that result in the axion making up all the dark matter. Due to duality below the Peccei-Quinn scale and a minor influence of the KSVZ and DFSZ fields on the running, our findings also apply to a minimal 2-form implementation of the axion.

Inflationary epoch in the presence of holographic dark energy

We analyze the effects of the holographic dark energy model in a single field slow-roll inflation, taking into account both the holographic and the dark radiation components. In particular, we obtain the background evolution and compute the scalar and tensor power spectra. For the scalar sector we show that the power spectrum of the curvature perturbation encompasses the standard single field result and a correction proportional to Ωhde/ϵ, where Ωhde is the fractional density of the holographic component and ϵ is the first slow-roll parameter. This correction might be of order unity in the very beginning of the inflationary phase and decays rapidly. For the primordial gravitational waves we find the spectral index receives a correction from the graviton mass term, which decays in the first inflationary e-folds.

Preheating and reheating constraints in supersymmetric braneworld inflation

We study the evolution of the Universe at early stages, we discuss also preheating in the framework of hybrid braneworld inflation by setting conditions on the coupling constants $\lambda $ and $g$\ for effective production of $\chi$-particles. Considering the phase between the time observable CMB scales crossed the horizon and the present time, we write reheating and preheating parameters $N_{re}$, $T_{re}$ and $N_{pre}$ in terms of the scalar spectral index $n_{s}$, and prove that, unlike the reheating case, the preheating duration does not depend on the values of the equation of state $\omega ^{\ast }$. We apply the slow-roll approximation in the high energy limit to constrain the parameters of D-term hybrid potential. We show also that some inflationary parameters, in particular, the spectral index $n_{s}$ demand that the potential parameter $\alpha$ is bounded as $\alpha \geq 1$ to be consistent with $Planck$'s data, while the ratio $r$ is in agreement with observation for $ \alpha \leq 1 $ considering high inflationary e-folds. We also propose an investigation of the brane tension effect on the reheating temperature. Comparing our results to recent CMB measurements, we study preheating and reheating parameters $N_{re}$, $T_{re}$ and $N_{pre}$ in the Hybrid D-term inflation model in the range $0.8\leq \alpha\leq 1.1$\, and conclude that $T_{re}$ and $N_{re}$ require $\alpha \leq 1$, while for $N_{pre}$ the condition $\alpha \leq 0.9$ must be satisfied, to be compatible with $Planck$'s results.

Warm bounce in loop quantum cosmology and the prediction for the duration of inflation

We study and estimate probabilistic predictions for the duration of the preinflationary and slow-roll phases after the bounce in loop quantum cosmology, determining how the presence of radiation in the prebounce phase affects these results. We present our analysis for different classes of inflationary potentials that include the monomial power-law chaotic type of potentials, namely, for the quadratic, quartic and sextic potentials and also for a Higgs-like symmetry breaking potential, considering different values for the vacuum expectation value in the latter case. We obtain the probability density function for the number of inflationary e-folds and for other relevant quantities for each model and produce probabilistic results drawn from these distributions. This study allows us to discuss under which conditions each model could eventually lead to observable signatures on the spectrum of the cosmic microwave background, or, else, be also excluded for not predicting a suffcient amount of accelerated expansion. The effect of radiation on the predictions for each model is explicitly quantified. The obtained results indicate that the number of inflationary e-folds in loop quantum cosmology is not a priori an arbitrary number, but can in principle be a predictable quantity, even though the results are dependent on the model and on the amount of radiation in the Universe prior to the start of the inflationary regime.

A pure general relativistic non-singular bouncing origin for the Universe

In this article, we argue that the past of the Universe, extrapolated from standard physics and measured cosmological parameters, might be a non-singular bounce. We also show that, in this framework, quite stringent constraints can be put on the reheating temperature and number of inflationary e-folds, basically fixing T_{RH}sim T_{GUT} and Nsim 70. We draw some conclusions about the shape of the inflaton potential and raise the “naturalness” issue in this context. Finally, we argue that this could open a very specific window on the “pre big bounce" universe.

Phenomenology of quantum reduced loop gravity in the isotropic cosmological sector

Quantum reduced loop gravity is designed to consistently study symmetry reduced systems within the loop quantum gravity framework. In particular, it bridges the gap between the effective cosmological models of loop quantum cosmology and the full theory, addressing the dynamics before the minisuperspace reduction. This mostly preserves the graph structure and SU(2) quantum numbers. In this article, we study the phenomenological consequences of the isotropic sector of the theory, the so-called emergent bouncing universe model. In particular, the parameter space is scanned and we show that the number of inflationary e-folds is almost always higher than the observational lower-bound. We also compute the primordial tensor power spectrum and study its sensitivity upon the fundamental parameters used in the model.

Monodromy Inflation in the Strong Coupling Regime of the Effective Field Theory.

We present a simple effective field theory formulation of a general family of single-field flux monodromy models for which strong coupling effects at large field values can flatten the potential and activate higher-derivative operators. Both of these effects can suppress the tensor amplitude. These models are radiatively and nonperturbatively stable and can sustain ≳60 e folds of inflation. The dynamics combines features of both large-field chaotic inflation and k inflation. Reducing the tensor-scalar ratio below the observational bound r≲0.1 while keeping the scalar spectral index n_{s} within experimental bounds either yields equilateral non-Gaussianity f_{NL}^{eq}≃O(1), close to the current observational bounds, or gives very small r.

Dark matter and baryon asymmetry from the very dawn of the Universe

We propose a universal mechanism of producing dark matter and baryon (lepton) charge at the stage of the quasi-de Sitter expansion of the Universe---inflation. The key ingredient of the mechanism is a linear coupling of the field, responsible for generation of dark matter or baryon (lepton) charge, to a function of the inflaton. During inflation this induces almost constant force dragging the corresponding field to the non-zero value. This force explicitly breaks quantum numbers associated with dark matter/baryon abundance at later stages. As a particular realization of the mechanism we introduce a super-heavy complex scalar field with the mass larger than the Hubble rate during the last e-folds of inflation. The global U(1)-symmetry is violated due to the linear coupling of the phase of the complex scalar to the inflaton. The symmetry breaking leads to the generation of a non-zero Noether charge. The latter is directly related to the dark matter abundance, or, alternatively, can be converted into baryon asymmetry, if the complex scalar carries the baryon charge.

Inflation in random landscapes with two energy scales

We investigate inflation in a multi-dimensional landscape with a hierarchy of energy scales, motivated by the string theory, where the energy scale of Kahler moduli is usually assumed to be much lower than that of complex structure moduli and dilaton field. We argue that in such a landscape, the dynamics of slow-roll inflation is governed by the low-energy potential, while the initial condition for inflation are determined by tunneling through high-energy barriers. We then use the scale factor cutoff measure to calculate the probability distribution for the number of inflationary e-folds and the amplitude of density fluctuations Q, assuming that the low-energy landscape is described by a random Gaussian potential with a correlation length much smaller than Mpl. We find that the distribution for Q has a unique shape and a preferred domain, which depends on the parameters of the low-energy landscape. We discuss some observational implications of this distribution and the constraints it imposes on the landscape parameters.

Dark Matter and Baryon Asymmetry from the very Dawn of Universe

We discuss a possibility of universally producing dark matter and baryon charge at inflation. For this purpose, we introduce a complex scalar field with the mass exceeding the Hubble rate during the last e-folds of inflation. We assume that the phase of the complex scalar is linearly coupled to the inflaton. This interaction explicitly breaking U(1)-symmetry leads to the production of a non-zero Noether charge. The latter serves as a source of dark matter abundance, or baryon asymmetry, if the complex scalar carries the baryon charge.

Critical Number of Fields in Stochastic Inflation.

Stochastic effects in generic scenarios of inflation with multiple fields are investigated. First passage time techniques are employed to calculate the statistical moments of the number of inflationary e-folds, which give rise to all correlation functions of primordial curvature perturbations through the stochastic δN formalism. The number of fields is a critical parameter. The probability of exploring arbitrarily large-field regions of the potential becomes nonvanishing when more than two fields are driving inflation. The mean number of e-folds can be infinite, depending on the number of fields; for plateau potentials, this occurs even with one field. In such cases, correlation functions of curvature perturbations are infinite. They can, however, be regularized if a reflecting (or absorbing) wall is added at large energy or field value. The results are found to be independent of the exact location of the wall and this procedure is, therefore, well defined for a wide range of cutoffs, above or below the Planck scale. Finally, we show that, contrary to single-field setups, multifield models can yield large stochastic corrections even at sub-Planckian energy, opening interesting prospects for probing quantum effects on cosmological fluctuations.

Multiple fields in stochastic inflation

Stochastic effects in multi-field inflationary scenarios are investigated. A hierarchy of diffusion equations is derived, the solutions of which yield moments of the numbers of inflationary e-folds. Solving the resulting partial differential equations in multi-dimensional field space is more challenging than the single-field case. A few tractable examples are discussed, which show that the number of fields is, in general, a critical parameter. When more than two fields are present for instance, the probability to explore arbitrarily large-field regions of the potential, otherwise inaccessible to single-field dynamics, becomes non-zero. In some configurations, this gives rise to an infinite mean number of e-folds, regardless of the initial conditions. Another difference with respect to single-field scenarios is that multi-field stochastic effects can be large even at sub-Planckian energy. This opens interesting new possibilities for probing quantum effects in inflationary dynamics, since the moments of the numbers of e-folds can be used to calculate the distribution of primordial density perturbations in the stochastic-δ N formalism.

Pati-Salam version of subcritical hybrid inflation

In this paper we present a model of subcritical hybrid inflation with a Pati-Salam [PS] symmetry group. Both the inflaton and waterfall fields contribute to the necessary e-foldings of inflation, while only the waterfall field spontaneously breaks PS hence monopoles produced during inflation are diluted during the inflationary epoch. The model is able to produce a tensor-to-scalar ratio, $r < 0.09$ consistent with the latest BICEP2/Keck and Planck data, as well as scalar density perturbations and spectral index, $n_s$, consistent with Planck data. For particular values of the parameters, we find $r = 0.084$ and $n_s = 0.0963$. The energy density during inflation is directly related to the PS breaking scale, $v_{PS}$. The model also incorporates a $\mathbb{Z}_4^R$ symmetry which can resolve the $\mu$ problem and suppress dimension 5 operators for proton decay, leaving over an exact $R$-parity. Finally the model allows for a complete three family extension with a $D_4$ family symmetry which reproduces low energy precision electroweak and LHC data.

The two-field regime of natural inflation

The simplest two-field completion of natural inflation has a regime in which both fields are active and in which its predictions are within the Planck 1-σ confidence contour. We show this for the original model of natural inflation, in which inflation is achieved through the explicit breaking of a U(1) symmetry. We consider the case in which the mass coming from explicit breaking of this symmetry is comparable to that from spontaneous breaking, which we show is consistent with a hierarchy between the corresponding energy scales. While both masses are comparable when the observable modes left the horizon, the mass hierarchy is restored in the last e-foldings of inflation, rendering the predictions consistent with the isocurvature bounds. For completeness, we also study the predictions for the case in which there is a large hierarchy of masses and an initial period of inflation driven by the (heavy) radial field.

Calculations of inflaton decays and reheating: with applications to no-scale inflation models

We discuss inflaton decays and reheating in no-scale Starobinsky-like models of inflation, calculating the effective equation-of-state parameter, w, during the epoch of inflaton decay, the reheating temperature, Treh, and the number of inflationary e-folds, N*, comparing analytical approximations with numerical calculations. We then illustrate these results with applications to models based on no-scale supergravity and motivated by generic string compactifications, including scenarios where the inflaton is identified as an untwisted-sector matter field with direct Yukawa couplings to MSSM fields, and where the inflaton decays via gravitational-strength interactions. Finally, we use our results to discuss the constraints on these models imposed by present measurements of the scalar spectral index ns and the tensor-to-scalar perturbation ratio r, converting them into constraints on N*, the inflaton decay rate and other parameters of specific no-scale inflationary models.

Excitation of photons by inflationary gravitons

We use a recent result for the graviton contribution to the one loop vacuum polarization to solve the effective field equations for dynamical photons on de Sitter background. Our results show that the electric field experiences a secular enhancement proportional to the number of inflationary e-foldings. We discuss the minimum this establishes for primordial inflation to seed cosmic magnetic fields.

Relic vector field and CMB large scale anomalies

We study the most general effects of relic vector fields on the inflationary background and density perturbations. Such effects are observable if the number of inflationary e-folds is close to the minimum requirement to solve the horizon problem. We show that this can potentially explain two CMB large scale anomalies: the quadrupole-octopole alignment and the quadrupole power suppression. We discuss its effect on the parity anomaly. We also provide analytical template for more detailed data comparison.

Violation of consistency relations and the protoinflationary transition

If we posit the validity of the consistency relations, the tensor spectral index and the relative amplitude of the scalar and tensor power spectra are both fixed by a single slow roll parameter. The physics of the protoinflationary transition can break explicitly the consistency relations causing a reduction of the inflationary curvature scale in comparison with the conventional lore. After a critical scrutiny, we argue that the inflationary curvature scale, the total number of inflationary efolds and, ultimately, the excursion of the inflaton across its Planckian boundary are all characterized by a computable theoretical error. While these considerations ease some of the tensions between the Bicep2 data and the other satellite observations, they also demand an improved understanding of the protoinflationary transition whose physical features may be assessed, in the future, through a complete analysis of the spectral properties of the B mode autocorrelations.