Inflationary models in a minimally coupled gravity: Constraints from , BICEP/, and ACT
arXiv:2511.06453 · doi:10.1016/j.newast.2026.102589
Abstract
The advent of high-precision cosmological observations has challenged many traditional inflationary models. Data from 2018 along with the BICEP/ 2018 result have already ruled out most of the established models by placing tight constraints on the tensor-to-scalar ratio . Upcoming missions like LiteBIRD & CMB-S4 are expected to impose an even more stringent bound on , potentially excluding further models from the viable landscape. In this evolving observational context, modified gravity theories offer a promising way to reconcile inflationary models with data. In this work, we explore several inflationary models, namely mutated hilltop inflation, D-brane inflation, and Woods-Saxon inflation, within the framework of gravity. A minimally coupled and linear combination of Ricci scalar and trace of EM tensor is considered as and the cosmological observable parameters, viz. scalar spectral tilt , tensor-to-scalar ratio , and running of scalar spectral index are estimated for the three models, and their trajectories are plotted in the plane. The model results are evaluated in light of the , BICEP/, DESI DR2, and ACT DR6 data. We observe that for a certain model parameter space, these potentials are viable within the current observational bounds.
arXiv comment22 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, Accepted version
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