One Loop Corrected Mode Functions for SQED during Inflation

We solve the one loop effective scalar field equations for spatial plane waves in massless, minimally coupled scalar quantum electrodynamics on a locally de Sitter background. The computation is done in two different gauges: a non-de Sitter invariant analogue of Feynman gauge, and in the de Sitter invariant, Lorentz gauge. In each case our result is that the finite part of the conformal counterterm can be chosen so that the mode functions experience no significant one loop corrections at late times. This is in perfect agreement with a recent, all orders stochastic prediction.Comment: 26 pages, uses LaTeX 2 epsilon, no figures, version 2 has an updated reference lis

Lovelock inflation and the number of large dimensions

We discuss an inflationary scenario based on Lovelock terms. These higher order curvature terms can lead to inflation when there are more than three spatial dimensions. Inflation will end if the extra dimensions are stabilised, so that at most three dimensions are free to expand. This relates graceful exit to the number of large dimensions.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure. v2: published version, added clarification

A new tape product for optical data storage

A new tape product has been developed for optical data storage. Laser data recording is based on hole or pit formation in a low melting metallic alloy system. The media structure, sputter deposition process, and media characteristics, including write sensitivity, error rates, wear resistance, and archival storage are discussed

General plane wave mode functions for scalar-driven cosmology

We give a solution for plane wave scalar, vector and tensor mode functions in the presence of any homogeneous, isotropic and spatially flat cosmology which is driven by a single, minimally coupled scalar. The solution is obtained by rescaling the various mode functions so that they reduce, with a suitable scale factor and a suitable time variable, to those of a massless, minimally coupled scalar. We then express the general solution in terms of co-moving time and the original scale factor.Comment: 6 pages, revtex4, no figures, revised version corrects an embarrassing mistake (in the published version) for the parameter q_C. Affected eqns are 45 and 6

Pseudo-Unitary Operators and Pseudo-Unitary Quantum Dynamics

We consider pseudo-unitary quantum systems and discuss various properties of pseudo-unitary operators. In particular we prove a characterization theorem for block-diagonalizable pseudo-unitary operators with finite-dimensional diagonal blocks. Furthermore, we show that every pseudo-unitary matrix is the exponential of $i=\sqrt{-1}$ times a pseudo-Hermitian matrix, and determine the structure of the Lie groups consisting of pseudo-unitary matrices. In particular, we present a thorough treatment of $2\times 2$ pseudo-unitary matrices and discuss an example of a quantum system with a $2\times 2$ pseudo-unitary dynamical group. As other applications of our general results we give a proof of the spectral theorem for symplectic transformations of classical mechanics, demonstrate the coincidence of the symplectic group $Sp(2n)$ with the real subgroup of a matrix group that is isomorphic to the pseudo-unitary group U(n,n), and elaborate on an approach to second quantization that makes use of the underlying pseudo-unitary dynamical groups.Comment: Revised and expanded version, includes an application to symplectic transformations and groups, accepted for publication in J. Math. Phy

A graviton propagator for inflation

We construct the scalar and graviton propagator in quasi de Sitter space up to first order in the slow roll parameter $\epsilon\equiv -\dot{H}/H^2$. After a rescaling, the propagators are similar to those in de Sitter space with an $\epsilon$ correction to the effective mass. The limit $\epsilon\to 0$ corresponds to the E(3) vacuum that breaks de Sitter symmetry, but does not break spatial isotropy and homogeneity. The new propagators allow for a self-consistent, dynamical study of quantum back-reaction effects during inflation.Comment: 23 page

Fields of accelerated sources: Born in de Sitter

This paper deals thoroughly with the scalar and electromagnetic fields of uniformly accelerated charges in de Sitter spacetime. It gives details and makes various extensions of our Physical Review Letter from 2002. The basic properties of the classical Born solutions representing two uniformly accelerated charges in flat spacetime are first summarized. The worldlines of uniformly accelerated particles in de Sitter universe are defined and described in a number of coordinate frames, some of them being of cosmological significance, the other are tied naturally to the particles. The scalar and electromagnetic fields due to the accelerated charges are constructed by using conformal relations between Minkowski and de Sitter space. The properties of the generalized `cosmological' Born solutions are analyzed and elucidated in various coordinate systems. In particular, a limiting procedure is demonstrated which brings the cosmological Born fields in de Sitter space back to the classical Born solutions in Minkowski space. In an extensive Appendix, which can be used independently of the main text, nine families of coordinate systems in de Sitter spacetime are described analytically and illustrated graphically in a number of conformal diagrams.Comment: 37 pages, 23 figures, reformatted version of the paper published in JMP; low-resolution figures due to arXiv size restrictions; for the version with high-resolution figures see http://utf.mff.cuni.cz/~krtous/papers

Uniqueness of the gauge invariant action for cosmological perturbations

In second order perturbation theory different definitions are known of gauge invariant perturbations in single field inflationary models. Consequently the corresponding gauge invariant cubic actions do not have the same form. Here we show that the cubic action for one choice of gauge invariant variables is unique in the following sense: the action for any other, non-linearly related variable can be brought to the same bulk action, plus additional boundary terms. These boundary terms correspond to the choice of hypersurface and generate extra, disconnected contributions to the bispectrum. We also discuss uniqueness of the action with respect to conformal frames. When expressed in terms of the gauge invariant curvature perturbation on uniform field hypersurfaces the action for cosmological perturbations has a unique form, independent of the original Einstein or Jordan frame. Crucial is that the gauge invariant comoving curvature perturbation is frame independent, which makes it extremely helpful in showing the quantum equivalence of the two frames, and therefore in calculating quantum effects in nonminimally coupled theories such as Higss inflation.Comment: 27 page

One Loop Back Reaction On Power Law Inflation

We consider quantum mechanical corrections to a homogeneous, isotropic and spatially flat geometry whose scale factor expands classically as a general power of the co-moving time. The effects of both gravitons and the scalar inflaton are computed at one loop using the manifestly causal formalism of Schwinger with the Feynman rules recently developed by Iliopoulos {\it et al.} We find no significant effect, in marked contrast with the result obtained by Mukhanov {\it et al.} for chaotic inflation based on a quadratic potential. By applying the canonical technique of Mukhanov {\it et al.} to the exponential potentials of power law inflation, we show that the two methods produce the same results, within the approximations employed, for these backgrounds. We therefore conclude that the shape of the inflaton potential can have an enormous impact on the one loop back-reaction.Comment: 28 pages, LaTeX 2 epsilo

The Quantum Gravitationally Induced Stress Tensor

We derive non-perturbative relations between the expectation value of the invariant element in a homogeneous and isotropic state and the quantum gravitationally induced pressure and energy density. By exploiting previously obtained bounds for the maximum possible growth of perturbative corrections to a locally de Sitter background we show that the two loop result dominates all higher orders. We also show that the quantum gravitational slowing of inflation becomes non-perturbatively strong earlier than previously expected.Comment: 13 pages, LaTeX 2 epsilo