Studies in Small Field Inflation

Abstract

We explore some issues in slow roll inflation in situations where field excursions are small compared to $M_p$. We argue that for small field inflation, minimizing fine tuning requires low energy supersymmetry and a tightly constrained structure. Hybrid inflation is {\it almost} an inevitable outcome. The resulting theory can be described in terms of a supersymmetric low energy effective action and inflation completely characterized in terms of a small number of parameters. Demanding slow roll inflation significantly constrains these parameters. In this context, the generic level of fine tuning can be described as a function of the number of light fields, there is an upper bound on the scale of inflation, and an (almost) universal prediction for the spectral index. Models of this type need not suffer from a cosmological moduli problem.

16 pages. issues with single field inflation identified and clarified; role of discrete R symmetries clarified; error in discussion of a non-hybrid model corrected

References in corpus (7)

• From Linear SUSY to Constrained Superfields
• Retrofitting O'Raifeartaigh Models with Dynamical Scales
• Supersymmetric Hybrid Inflation with Non-Minimal Kahler potential
• Particle physics models of inflation
• Sgoldstino inflation
• Hierarchies of Susy Splittings and Invisible Photinos as Dark Matter
• Generalized Gaugino Condensation in Super Yang-Mills Theories: Discrete R-Symmetries and Vacua

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• New inflation in supergravity after Planck and LHC
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• Non-Anomalous Discrete R-symmetry Decrees Three Generations
• Constraints on the relaxion mechanism with strongly interacting vector-fermions
• General sGoldstino Inflation
• Low Scale Inflation at High Energy Colliders and Meson Factories
• Fast-Rolling Relaxion
• Generically large nongaussianity in small multifield inflation
• Search for signatures of dust in the Pluto-Charon system using Herschel/PACS observations
• Small Field Inflation and the Spectral Index
• Consistent cosmology with Higgs thermal inflation in a minimal extension of the MSSM
• Decoupling limits in multi-sector supergravities
• TwInflation
• Discrete Symmetries/Discrete Theories