Energy distribution and equation of state of the early universe: matching the end of inflation and the onset of radiation domination

DOI10.1016/J.PHYSLETB.2020.135888zbMATH Open1475.83127arXiv2005.07563OpenAlexW3025737699MaRDI QIDQ820355FDOQ820355

Authors: Stefan Antusch, Daniel G. Figueroa, Kenneth Marschall, Francisco Torrenti 

Publication date: 27 September 2021

Published in: Physics Letters B (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We study the energy distribution and equation of state of the universe between the end of inflation and the onset of radiation domination (RD), considering observationally consistent single-field inflationary scenarios, with a potential 'flattening' at large field values, and a monomial shape $V(phi)propto|phi{|}^p$ around the origin. As a proxy for (p)reheating, we include a quadratic interaction $g^{2}ph{i}^2{X}^2$ between the inflaton $phi$ and a light scalar 'daughter' field $X$, with $g^2>0$. We capture the non-perturbative and non-linear nature of the system dynamics with lattice simulations, obtaining that: $i)$ the final energy transferred to $X$ depends only on $p$, not on $g^2$, ; $ii)$ the final transfer of energy is always negligible for $2leqp<4$, and of order $sim50\mathrm{\%}$ for $pgeq4$; $iii)$ the system goes at late times to matter-domination for $p=2$, and always to RD for $p>2$. In the latter case we calculate the number of e-folds until RD, significantly reducing the uncertainty in the inflationary observables $n_s$ and $r$.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.07563

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Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Relativistic cosmology (83F05) Geometrodynamics and the holographic principle (83E05)

Cites Work

• \texttt{LATTICEEASY}: A program for lattice simulations of scalar fields in an expanding universe
• \texttt{CLUSTEREASY}: A program for lattice simulations of scalar fields in an expanding universe on parallel computing clusters
• A new type of isotropic cosmological models without singularity
• Inflationary universe: A possible solution to the horizon and flatness problems
• Nonperturbative dynamics of reheating after inflation: A review
• (P)reheating after minimal plateau inflation and constraints from CMB
• Ability of LIGO and LISA to probe the equation of state of the early Universe
• Metric preheating and radiative decay in single-field inflation

Cited In (8)

• WIMPs during reheating
• Dark matter production and reheating via direct inflaton couplings: collective effects
• Characterizing the post-inflationary reheating history. Part II. Multiple interacting daughter fields
• Impact of dark sector preheating on CMB observables
• Model independent results for the inflationary epoch and the breaking of the degeneracy of models of inflation
• Aspects of wave turbulence in preheating III: The case of the two-field models
• The very early universe might not have been radiation-dominated
• Implications of stochastic effects for primordial black hole production in ultra-slow-roll inflation

Uses Software

• LATTICEEASY
• CLUSTEREASY

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