A graviton propagator for inflation

Abstract

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.

23 pages

References in corpus (5)

• Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Three Year Results: Implications for Cosmology
• Stochastic Inflationary Scalar Electrodynamics
• Two Loop Scalar Bilinears for Inflationary SQED
• Quantum radiative corrections to slow-roll inflation
• On leading order gravitational backreactions in de Sitter spacetime

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Two loop stress-energy tensor for inflationary scalar electrodynamics
• Infrared Propagator Corrections for Constant Deceleration
• A Simplified Quantum Gravitational Model of Inflation
• Graviton one-loop effective action and inflationary dynamics