Degeneracies in inflationary signatures of UV physics

Particle Physics Theory seminar

Degeneracies in inflationary signatures of UV physics

  • Event time: 4:00pm
  • Event date: 5th June 2013
  • Speaker: Rhiannon Gwyn (MPG)
  • Location: Lecture Theatre A,

Event details

Inflation is a period of exponential expansion in the early universe. It should thus arise from and be described by some UV complete theory, which is unknown. Ideally, data taken today would allow us to say something about this UV physics, or at least differentiate between the many classes of inflationary models on the market. Nongaussianities in the CMB seemed a promising way to learn about the physics underlying inflation. However, not only do nongaussianities remain almost completely unconstrained by the Planck data, there is also huge degeneracy in the space of models and their predictions. In particular, the observables associated with noncanonical inflation, in which higher powers of the kinetic term of the inflation enter, can be shown to arise in canonical single field theories. This includes the characteristic equilateral-type nongaussian signal, for the current bounds.

Event resources

About Particle Physics Theory seminars

The Particle Physics Theory seminar is a weekly series of talks reflecting the diverse interests of the group. Topics include analytic and numerical calculations based on the Standard Model of elementary particle physics, theories exploring new physics, as well as more formal developments in gauge theories and gravity..

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