37 research outputs found
Inflationary potentials in DBI models
We study DBI inflation based upon a general model characterized by a
power-law flow parameter and speed of
sound , where and are constants.
We show that in the slow-roll limit this general model gives rise to distinct
inflationary classes according to the relation between and and
to the time evolution of the inflaton field, each one corresponding to a
specific potential; in particular, we find that the well-known canonical
polynomial (large- and small-field), hybrid and exponential potentials also
arise in this non-canonical model. We find that these non-canonical classes
have the same physical features as their canonical analogs, except for the fact
that the inflaton field evolves with varying speed of sound; also, we show that
a broad class of canonical and D-brane inflation models are particular cases of
this general non-canonical model. Next, we compare the predictions of
large-field polynomial models with the current observational data, showing that
models with low speed of sound have red-tilted scalar spectrum with low
tensor-to-scalar ratio, in good agreement with the observed values. These
models also show a correlation between large non-gaussianity with low tensor
amplitudes, which is a distinct signature of DBI inflation with large-field
polynomial potentials.Comment: Minor changes, reference added. Version submitted to JCA
Non-canonical generalizations of slow-roll inflation models
We consider non-canonical generalizations of two classes of simple
single-field inflation models. First, we study the non-canonical version of
"ultra-slow roll" inflation, which is a class of inflation models for which
quantum modes do not freeze at horizon crossing, but instead evolve rapidly on
superhorizon scales. Second, we consider the non-canonical generalization of
the simplest "chaotic" inflation scenario, with a potential dominated by a
quartic (mass) term for the inflaton. We find a class of related non-canonical
solutions with polynomial potentials, but with varying speed of sound. These
solutions are characterized by a constant field velocity, and we dub such
models {\it isokinetic} inflation. As in the canonical limit, isokinetic
inflation has a slightly red-tilted power spectrum, consistent with current
data. Unlike the canonical case, however, these models can have an arbitrarily
small tensor/scalar ratio. Of particular interest is that isokinetic inflation
is marked by a correlation between the tensor/scalar ratio and the amplitude of
non-Gaussianity such that parameter regimes with small tensor/scalar ratio have
{\it large} associated non-Gaussianity, which is a distinct observational
signature.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX; V2: version submitted to JCAP. References
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Bridging geometries and potentials in DBI cosmologies
We investigate the link between the warp function and the potential in DBI
cosmologies in connection with the possibility they represent power-law
solutions. A prescription is given to take advantage of the known result that
given a warp factor there is always a choice of potential resulting in a
constant ratio between pressure and energy density. The method is illustrated
with examples with interesting models for either the warp factor or the
potential. We complete this investigation by giving a recipe to exploit
symmetries in order to generate new solutions from existing ones; this method
can be applied, for instance, to the power-law cosmologies obtained using our
prescription.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, revte
Constraining non-minimally coupled tachyon fields by Noether symmetry
A model for a spatially flat homogeneous and isotropic Universe whose
gravitational sources are a pressureless matter field and a tachyon field
non-minimally coupled to the gravitational field is analyzed. Noether symmetry
is used to find the expressions for the potential density and for the coupling
function, and it is shown that both must be exponential functions of the
tachyon field. Two cosmological solutions are investigated: (i) for the early
Universe whose only source of the gravitational field is a non-minimally
coupled tachyon field which behaves as an inflaton and leads to an exponential
accelerated expansion and (ii) for the late Universe whose gravitational
sources are a pressureless matter field and a non-minimally coupled tachyon
field which plays the role of dark energy and is the responsible of the
decelerated-accelerated transition period.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. Version accepted for publication in Classical
and Quantum Gravit
Tensors, non-Gaussianities, and the future of potential reconstruction
We present projections for reconstruction of the inflationary potential
expected from ESA's upcoming Planck Surveyor CMB mission. We focus on the
effects that tensor perturbations and the presence of non-Gaussianities have on
reconstruction efforts in the context of non-canonical inflation models. We
consider potential constraints for different combinations of
detection/null-detection of tensors and non-Gaussianities. We perform Markov
Chain Monte Carlo and flow analyses on a simulated Planck-precision data set to
obtain constraints. We find that a failure to detect non-Gaussianities
precludes a successful inversion of the primordial power spectrum, greatly
affecting uncertainties, even in the presence of a tensor detection. In the
absence of a tensor detection, while unable to determine the energy scale of
inflation, an observable level of non-Gaussianities provides correlations
between the errors of the potential parameters, suggesting that constraints
might be improved for suitable combinations of parameters. Constraints are
optimized for a positive detection of both tensors and non-Gaussianities.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, LaTeX; V2: version submitted to JCA
Higher Structures in M-Theory
The key open problem of string theory remains its non-perturbative completion
to M-theory. A decisive hint to its inner workings comes from numerous
appearances of higher structures in the limits of M-theory that are already
understood, such as higher degree flux fields and their dualities, or the
higher algebraic structures governing closed string field theory. These are all
controlled by the higher homotopy theory of derived categories, generalised
cohomology theories, and -algebras. This is the introductory chapter
to the proceedings of the LMS/EPSRC Durham Symposium on Higher Structures in
M-Theory. We first review higher structures as well as their motivation in
string theory and beyond. Then we list the contributions in this volume,
putting them into context.Comment: 22 pages, Introductory Article to Proceedings of LMS/EPSRC Durham
Symposium Higher Structures in M-Theory, August 2018, references update
Non-relativistic Matrix Inflation
We reconsider a string theoretic inflationary model, where inflation is
driven by multiple coincident -branes in the finite limit. We show
that the finite action can be continued to the limit of large , where it
converges to the action for a wrapped -brane with units of U(1) flux.
This provides an important consistency check of the scenario and allows for
more control over certain back-reaction effects. We determine the most general
form of the action for a specific sub-class of models and examine the
non-relativistic limits of the theory where the branes move at speeds much less
than the speed of light. The non-Abelian nature of the world-volume theory
implies that the inflaton field is matrix valued and this results in
modifications to the slow-roll parameters and Hubble-flow equations. A specific
small field model of inflation is investigated where the branes move out of an
AdS throat, and observational constraints are employed to place bounds on the
background fluxes.Comment: 25 page
Singularities and closed time-like curves in type IIB 1/2 BPS geometries
We study in detail the moduli space of solutions discovered in LLM relaxing
the constraint that guarantees the absence of singularities. The solutions fall
into three classes, non-singular, null-singular and time machines with a
time-like naked singularity. We study the general features of these metrics and
prove that there are actually just two generic classes of space-times - those
with null singularities are in the same class as the non-singular metrics.
AdS/CFT seems to provide a dual description only for the first of these two
types of space-time in terms of a unitary CFT indicating the possible existence
of a chronology protection mechanism for this class of geometries.Comment: 34 pages, 7 figures, LaTeX. References adde