Scalar Power Research Articles

Frame covariant nonminimal multifield inflation

We introduce a frame-covariant formalism for inflation of scalar-curvature theories by adopting a differential geometric approach which treats the scalar fields as coordinates living on a field-space manifold. This ensures that our description of inflation is both conformally and reparameterization covariant. Our formulation gives rise to extensions of the usual Hubble and potential slow-roll parameters to generalized fully frame-covariant forms, which allow us to provide manifestly frame-invariant predictions for cosmological observables, such as the tensor-to-scalar ratio r, the spectral indices nR and nT, their runnings αR and αT, the non-Gaussianity parameter fNL, and the isocurvature fraction βiso. We examine the role of the field space curvature in the generation and transfer of isocurvature modes, and we investigate the effect of boundary conditions for the scalar fields at the end of inflation on the observable inflationary quantities. We explore the stability of the trajectories with respect to the boundary conditions by using a suitable sensitivity parameter. To illustrate our approach, we first analyze a simple minimal two-field scenario before studying a more realistic nonminimal model inspired by Higgs inflation. We find that isocurvature effects are greatly enhanced in the latter scenario and must be taken into account for certain values in the parameter space such that the model is properly normalized to the observed scalar power spectrum PR. Finally, we outline how our frame-covariant approach may be extended beyond the tree-level approximation through the Vilkovisky–De Witt formalism, which we generalize to take into account conformal transformations, thereby leading to a fully frame-invariant effective action at the one-loop level.

Warm generalized cosmic Chaplygin gas inflation inspired by generalized dissipative coefficient

We examine the warm inflationary universe model in the presence of generalized cosmic Chaplygin gas and standard scalar field. We assume the generalized dissipative coefficient and corresponding weak and strong dissipative regimes. In this framework, we analyze the characteristics of inflationary dynamics under the slow-roll approximations. Under these approximations, we formulate the important inflationary parameters, such as scalar spectral index, scalar and tensor power spectrum, tensor-to-scalar ratio etc. It is interesting to note that our results for these inflationary parameters are well corroborated with the recent observational data like WMAP7, WMAP9 and Planck data.

Dynamics of polynomial Chaplygin gas warm inflation

In the present work, we study the consequences of a recently proposed polynomial inflationary potential in the context of the generalized, modified, and generalized cosmic Chaplygin gas models. In addition, we consider dissipative effects by coupling the inflation field to radiation, i.e., the inflationary dynamics is studied in the warm inflation scenario. We take into account a general parametrization of the dissipative coefficient Gamma for describing the decay of the inflaton field into radiation. By studying the background and perturbative dynamics in the weak and strong dissipative regimes of warm inflation separately for the positive and negative quadratic and quartic potentials, we obtain expressions for the most relevant inflationary observables as the scalar power spectrum, the scalar spectral, and the tensor-to-scalar ratio. We construct the trajectories in the n_mathrm{s}–r plane for several expressions of the dissipative coefficient and compare with the two-dimensional marginalized contours for (n_mathrm{s},r) from the latest Planck data. We find that our results are in agreement with WMAP9 and Planck 2015 data.

Pre-inflationary universe in loop quantum cosmology

The evolutions of the flat FLRW universe and its linear perturbations are studied systematically in the dressed metric approach of LQC. When it is dominated by the kinetic energy of the inflaton at the quantum bounce, the evolution of the background can be divided into three different phases prior to the preheating, {\em bouncing, transition and slow-roll inflation}. During the bouncing phase, the evolution is independent of not only the initial conditions, but also the inflationary potentials. In particular, the expansion factor can be well described by the same exact solution in all the cases considered. In contrast, in the potential dominated case such a universality is lost. It is because of this universality that the linear perturbations are also independent of the inflationary models and obtained exactly. During the transition phase, the evolutions of the background and its linear perturbations are found explicitly, and then matched to the ones given in the other two phases. Hence, once the initial conditions are imposed, the linear scalar and tensor perturbations will be uniquely determined. Considering two different sets of initial conditions, one imposed during the contracting phase and the other at the bounce, we calculate the Bogoliubov coefficients and find that the two sets yield the same results and all lead to particle creations at the onset of the inflation. Due to the pre-inflationary dynamics, the scalar and tensor power spectra become scale-dependent. Comparing with the Planck 2015 data, we find constraints on the total e-folds that the universe must have expanded since the bounce, in order to be consistent with current observations.

Novel vacuum conditions in inflationary collapse models

Within the framework of inflationary models that incorporate a spontaneous reduction of the wave function for the emergence of the seeds of cosmic structure, we study the effects on the primordial scalar power spectrum by choosing a novel initial quantum state that characterizes the perturbations of the inflaton. Specifically, we investigate under which conditions one can recover an essentially scale free spectrum of primordial inhomogeneities when the standard Bunch–Davies vacuum is replaced by another one that minimizes the renormalized stress–energy tensor via a Hadamard procedure. We think that this new prescription for selecting the vacuum state is better suited for the self-induced collapse proposal than the traditional one in the semiclassical gravity picture. We show that the parametrization for the time of collapse, considered in previous works, is maintained. Also, we obtain an angular spectrum for the CMB temperature anisotropies consistent with the one that best fits the observational data. Therefore, we conclude that the collapse mechanism might be of a more fundamental character than previously suspected.

Impact of generalized dissipative coefficient on warm inflationary dynamics in the light of latest Planck data

The warm inflation scenario in view of the modified Chaplygin gas is studied. We consider the inflationary expansion to be driven by a standard scalar field whose decay ratio Gamma has a generic power-law dependence with the scalar field phi and the temperature of the thermal bath T. By assuming an exponential power-law dependence in the cosmic time for the scale factor a(t), corresponding to the intermediate inflation model, we solve the background and perturbative dynamics considering our model to evolve according to (1) weak dissipative regime and (2) strong dissipative regime. Specifically, we find explicit expressions for the dissipative coefficient, scalar potential, and the relevant inflationary observables like the scalar power spectrum, scalar spectral index, and tensor-to-scalar ratio. The free parameters characterizing our model are constrained by considering the essential condition for warm inflation, the conditions for the model evolves according to weak or strong dissipative regime, and the 2015 Planck results through the n_s–r plane.

From causal dynamical triangulations to astronomical observations

This letter discusses phenomenological aspects of dimensional reduction predicted by the Causal Dynamical Triangulations (CDT) approach to quantum gravity. The deformed form of the dispersion relation for the fields defined on the CDT space-time is reconstructed. Using the Fermi satellite observations of the GRB 090510 source we find that the energy scale of the dimensional reduction is at (95% CL), where is the value of the spectral dimension in the UV limit. By applying the deformed dispersion relation to the cosmological perturbations it is shown that, for a scenario when the primordial perturbations are formed in the UV region, the scalar power spectrum , where . Here, r is the tensor-to-scalar ratio. We find that within the considered model, the predicted from CDT deviation from the scale invariance is in contradiction with the up to date Planck and BICEP2.

Universal features of quantum bounce in loop quantum cosmology

In this Letter, we study analytically the evolutions of the flat Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) universe and its linear perturbations in the framework of the dressed metric approach in loop quantum cosmology (LQC). Assuming that the evolution of the background is dominated by the kinetic energy of the inflaton at the quantum bounce, we find that both evolutions of the background and its perturbations are independent of the inflationary potentials during the pre-inflationary phase. During this period the effective potentials of the perturbations can be well approximated by a Pöschl–Teller (PT) potential, from which we find analytically the mode functions and then calculate the corresponding Bogoliubov coefficients at the onset of the slow-roll inflation, valid for any inflationary model with a single scalar field. Imposing the Bunch–Davies (BD) vacuum in the contracting phase prior to the bounce when the modes are all inside the Hubble horizon, we show that particles are generically created due to the pre-inflation dynamics. Matching them to those obtained in the slow-roll inflationary phase, we investigate the effects of the pre-inflation dynamics on the scalar and tensor power spectra and find features that can be tested by current and forthcoming observations. In particular, to be consistent with the Planck 2015 data, we find that the universe must have expanded at least 141 e-folds since the bounce.

Improving the single scalar consistency relation

We propose a test of single-scalar inflation based on using the well-measured scalar power spectrum to reconstruct the tensor power spectrum, up to a single integration constant. Our test is a sort of integrated version of the single-scalar consistency relation. This sort of test can be used effectively, even when the tensor power spectrum is measured too poorly to resolve the tensor spectral index. We give an example using simulated data based on a hypothetical detection with tensor-to-scalar ratio r=0.01. Our test can also be employed for correlating scalar and tensor features in the far future when the data is good.

Polytropic Inspired Inflation on the Brane

The brane inflationary model inspired by a polytropic inflationary idea is studied. In the slow-roll approximation and high energy limit, for a chaotic potential, the model is developed, and its characteristics are discussed. We obtain explicit expressions for the scalar power spectrum, the tensor-scalar ratio, the scalar spectral index and its running in terms of the polytropic parameters. We find a new constraint on the energy scale of the inflation and the brane tension using the WMAP9 data.

Inflationary primordial black holes for the LIGO gravitational wave events and pulsar timing array experiments

Primordial black holes (PBHs) are one of the candidates to explain the gravitational wave (GW) signals observed by the LIGO detectors. Among several phenomena in the early Universe, cosmic inflation is a major example to generate PBHs from large primordial density perturbations. In this paper, we discuss the possibility to interpret the observed GW events as mergers of PBHs which are produced by cosmic inflation. The primordial curvature perturbation should be large enough to produce a sizable amount of PBHs and thus we have several other probes to test this scenario. We point out that the current pulsar timing array (PTA) experiments already put severe constraints on GWs generated via the second-order effects, and that the observation of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) puts severe restriction on its $\mu$ distortion. In particular, it is found that the scalar power spectrum should have a very sharp peak at $k \sim 10^{6}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ to fulfill the required abundance of PBHs while evading constraints from the PTA experiments together with the $\mu$ distortion. We propose a mechanism which can realize such a sharp peak. In the future, simple inflation models that generate PBHs via almost Gaussian fluctuations could be probed/excluded.

Effective field theory of statistical anisotropies for primordial bispectrum and gravitational waves

We present the effective field theory studies of primordial statistical anisotropies in models of anisotropic inflation. The general action in unitary gauge is presented to calculate the leading interactions between the gauge field fluctuations, the curvature perturbations and the tensor perturbations. The anisotropies in scalar power spectrum and bispectrum are calculated and the dependence of these anisotropies to EFT couplings are presented. In addition, we calculate the statistical anisotropy in tensor power spectrum and the scalar-tensor cross correlation. Our EFT approach incorporates anisotropies generated in models with non-trivial speed for the gauge field fluctuations and sound speed for scalar perturbations such as in DBI inflation.

Tensor perturbations during inflation in a spatially closed Universe

In a recent paper [1], we studied the evolution of the background geometry and scalar perturbations in an inflationary, spatially closed Friedmann-Lemaȋtre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) model having constant positive spatial curvature and spatial topology S3. Due to the spatial curvature, the early phase of slow-roll inflation is modified, leading to suppression of power in the scalar power spectrum at large angular scales. In this paper, we extend the analysis to include tensor perturbations. We find that, similarly to the scalar perturbations, the tensor power spectrum also shows suppression for long wavelength modes. The correction to the tensor spectrum is limited to the very long wavelength modes, therefore the resulting observable CMB B-mode polarization spectrum remains practically the same as in the standard scenario with flat spatial sections. However, since both the tensor and scalar power spectra are modified, there are scale dependent corrections to the tensor-to-scalar ratio that leads to violation of the standard slow-roll consistency relation.

Dynamics of warm power-law plateau inflation with a generalized inflaton decay rate: predictions and constraints after Planck 2015

In the present work, we study the consequences of considering a new family of single-field inflation models, called power-law plateau inflation, in the warm inflation framework. We consider the inflationary expansion is driven by a standard scalar field with a decay ratio Gamma having a generic power-law dependence with the scalar field phi and the temperature of the thermal bath T given by Gamma (phi ,T)=C_{phi }frac{T^a}{phi ^{a-1}}. Assuming that our model evolves according to the strong dissipative regime, we study the background and perturbative dynamics, obtaining the most relevant inflationary observable as the scalar power spectrum, the scalar spectral index and its running and the tensor-to-scalar ratio. The free parameters characterizing our model are constrained by considering the essential condition for warm inflation, the conditions for the model evolves according to the strong dissipative regime and the 2015 Planck results through the n_mathrm{s}–r plane. For completeness, we study the predictions in the n_mathrm{s}–mathrm{d}n_mathrm{s}/mathrm{d}ln k plane. The model is consistent with a strong dissipative dynamics and predicts values for the tensor-to-scalar ratio and for the running of the scalar spectral index consistent with current bounds imposed by Planck and we conclude that the model is viable.

Study of a 2D charged particle confined by a magnetic and AB flux fields under the radial scalar power potential

We present a more general form of the Schrodinger equation in curved space by introducing the magnetic fields. Further, we solve the non-relativistic wave equation with the radial scalar power potential (RSPP) under the influence of magnetic and Aharonov-Bohm (AB) flux fields by using the curvilinear coordinates system in such space. With this requirement, the energy spectrum and the corresponding wave functions have been calculated by means of the series method. Our analytical results are compared with other results and found to be in a good agreement. Furthermore, the main thermodynamic functions, such as the free energy, the mean energy, the entropy, the specific heat, the persistent currents and the magnetization, have been calculated by using the characteristic function. Some plots of the numerical results of the thermodynamic quantities are shown. Finally, we discuss our results.

Is inflation from unwinding fluxes IIB?

In this paper we argue that the mechanism of unwinding inflation is naturally present in warped compactifications of type IIB string theory with local throats. The unwinding of flux is caused by its annihilation against branes. The resulting inflaton potential is linear with periodic modulations. We initiate an analysis of the inflationary dynamics and cosmological observables, which are highly constrained by moduli stabilization. For the simplified model of single-Kähler Calabi-Yau spaces we find that many, though not all of the consistency constraints can be satisfied. Particularly, in this simple model geometric constraints are in tension with obtaining the observed amplitude of the scalar power spectrum. However, we do find 60 efolds of inflation with a trans-Planckian field excursion which offers the hope that slightly more complicated models can lead to a fully consistent explicit construction of large field inflation of this kind.

Dynamics of modified Chaplygin gas inflation on the Brane with bulk viscous pressure

We investigate the role of bulk viscous pressure on the warm inflationary modified Chaplygin gas (MCG) in braneworld framework in the presence of standard scalar field. We assume the intermediate inflationary scenario in strong dissipative regime and constructed the inflaton, potential, entropy density, slow-roll parameters, scalar and tensor power spectra, scalar spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio. We develop various trajectories such as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] (where [Formula: see text] is the spectral index, [Formula: see text] is the running of spectral index, [Formula: see text] is the number of e-folds and [Formula: see text] is tensor-to-scalar ratio) for variable as well as constant dissipation and bulk viscous coefficients at high dissipative regime. It is interesting to remark here that our results of these parameters are compatible with recent observational data such as WMAP [Formula: see text], BICEP[Formula: see text] and Planck data.

Inflationary dynamics in f(𝒢) gravity

This paper investigates inflationary dynamics for isotropic and homogeneous universe model in the background of [Formula: see text] gravity. We construct Hubble-flow functions, slow-roll parameters, amplitude of scalar power spectrum, spectral index and tensor–scalar ratio for a particular form of equation of state which describes quasi-de Sitter expansion. The dynamics of inflationary epoch is analyzed for scalar field as well as fluid cosmology with viable power-law [Formula: see text] model. We obtain different potential functions that correspond to chaotic inflation and Starobinsky type models. The graphical behavior of these parameters shows compatible results with observational Planck 2015 data in this gravity.

Inflation via logarithmic entropy-corrected holographic dark energy model

We study the inflation via logarithmic entropy-corrected holographic dark energy LECHDE model with future event horizon, particle horizon and Hubble horizon cut-offs, and compare the results with those of obtained in the study of inflation by holographic dark energy HDE model. In comparison, the spectrum of primordial scalar power spectrum in the LECHDE model becomes redder than the spectrum in HDE model. Moreover, the consistency with the observational data in LECHDE model of inflation, constrains the reheating temperature and Hubble parameter by one parameter of holographic dark energy and two new parameters of logarithmic corrections.

Occurrence of exact R 2 inflation in non-local UV-complete gravity

The $R+R^2$, shortly named "$R^2$" ("Starobinsky") inflationary model, represents a fully consistent example of a one-parameter inflationary scenario. This model has a "graceful exit" from inflation and provides a mechanism for subsequent creation and final thermalization of the standard matter. Moreover, it produces a very good fit of the observed spectrum of primordial perturbations. In the present paper we show explicitly that the $R^2$ inflationary spacetime is an exact solution of a range of weakly non-local (quasi-polynomial) gravitational theories, which provide an ultraviolet completion of the $R^2$ theory. These theories are ghost-free, super-renormalizable or finite at quantum level, and perturbatively unitary. Their spectrum consists of the graviton and the scalaron that is responsible for driving the inflation. Notably, any further extension of the spectrum leads to propagating ghost degrees of freedom. We are aimed at presenting a detailed construction of such theories in the so called Weyl basis. Further, we give a special account to the cosmological implications of this theory by considering perturbations during inflation. The highlight of the non-local model is the prediction of a modified, in comparison to a local $R^2$ model, value for the ratio of tensor and scalar power spectra $r$, depending on the parameters of the theory. The relevant parameters are under control to be successfully confronted with existing observational data. Furthermore, the modified $r$ can surely meet future observational constraints.