Initial conditions for inflation and the energy scale of SUSY-breaking from the (nearly) gaussian sky

We show how general initial conditions for small field inflation can be obtained in multi-field models. This is provided by non-linear angular friction terms in the inflaton that provide a phase of non-slow-roll inflation before the slow-roll inflation phase. This in turn provides a natural mechanism to star small-field slow-roll at nearly zero velocity for arbitrary initial conditions. We also show that there is a relation between the scale of SUSY breaking sqrt (f) and the amount of non-gaussian fluctuations generated by the inflaton. In particular, we show that in the local non-gaussian shape there exists the relation sqrt (f) = 10^{13} GeV sqrt (f_NL). With current observational limits from Planck, and adopting the minimum amount of non-gaussian fluctuations allowed by single-field inflation, this provides a very tight constraint for the SUSY breaking energy scale sqrt (f) = 3-7 x 10^{13} GeV at 95% confidence. Further limits, or detection, from next year's Planck polarisation data will further tighten this constraint by a factor of two. We highlight that the key to our approach is to identify the inflaton with the scalar component of the goldstino superfield. This superfield is universal and implements the dynamics of SUSY breaking as well as superconformal breaking.Comment: Invited talk at the BW2013 meetin

The quantum de Sitter root of quasi de Sitter observables: a pedagogical review

In inflationary cosmology the quasi de Sitter graceful exit allows us to measure the quantum features of the primordial dS phase, in particular, the lack of scale invariance parametrized by the spectral index $n_s$. In this review we summarize previous work on how the underlying primordial scaling law is implemented in the dS quantum Fisher information of the dS planar ground state (dSQFI). At large scales the dSQFI unequivocally sets, without any qdS input, the value of $n_s$ to be $0.9672$. This value is independent of the tensor to scalar ratio whose value requires model dependent input. In addition the dSQFI predicts, at large scales, a small running compatible with the current experimental results. Other phenomenological consequences of the dSQFI for small scales, will be discussed in a future review.Comment: Matches accepted version to the Physics of the Dark Univers

The Quantum Origin of Quasi de Sitter: a Model Independent Quantum Cosmological Tilt

The most robust prediction of inflationary cosmology is the existence of a red tilt for the spectrum of curvature fluctuations that is experimentally of order $0.04$. The tilt is derived solving the exact equation for quantum fluctuations in a quasi de Sitter background defined by a equation of state $\epsilon \equiv \frac{(p+\rho)}{\rho}$ with $\epsilon$ small but non vanishing. The experimental data selects among the different quasi de Sitter inflaton potentials. The origin of the lack of scale invariance associated with the tilt is however classical in essence and parametrized by the slow roll of the inflaton potential. Here we present a purely quantum mechanical and model independent derivation of the tilt. This derivation is based on two basic observations: first, the correlator for gauge invariant variables is related to the {\it quantum Fisher function} measuring the quantum dependence of the family of pure de Sitter vacua on the energy scale parameter; second, this quantum Fisher function has a non vanishing scale dependent red tilt that, at the energy scales of physical interest, fits the effective quasi de Sitter prediction as well as the experimental value. This is a result that is model independent and only based on the quantum features of the family of de Sitter vacua

Reciprocal Frames: The Flat Beam Grillage

This report follows the pursuit of attaining information and researching academic resources regarding the elusive reciprocal frame structures throughout history, in particular the flat beam grillage. In the following pages, the reader should expect to learn about reciprocal frames in a historical context throughout the globe, as well as, gain insight on how to potentially analyze these frames when they span two-dimensionally. As seen in Figure 1 (Pugnale 2011) and Figure 2 (Godthelp 2019), reciprocal frame structures consist of multiple groups of three or more members that are mutually supported. Along the perimeter of the structure, the members are supported by walls, columns, or the ground; where members meet to a certain extent from the ends of an adjacent member, they are supported by such subsequent members. In structural engineering, it is an intuitive instinct to attempt to follow the load path of a structure until the load is safely distributed into the ground. Only considering gravity, when looking at a planar reciprocal frame layout, it is difficult to visualize exactly how the loading is being transferred within the structure. Furthermore, how does one go about doing statics on a problem that is undergoing a perpetual cycle of load transfer? Hopefully, with the data that has been gathered within this research paper, a path can begin to be paved in regard to the design and analysis of two-dimensional reciprocal frames