20 pages, 5 figs; extended version of arXiv:0907.5542 including background material and detailed derivations. To appear in Proceedings of 1st Mediterranean Conference on Classical and Quantum Gravity
We present a holographic description of four-dimensional single-scalar inflationary universes in terms of a three-dimensional quantum field theory. The holographic description correctly reproduces standard inflationary predictions in their regime of applicability. In the opposite case, wherein gravity is strongly coupled at early times, we propose a holographic description in terms of perturbative QFT and present models capable of satisfying the current observational constraints while exhibiting a phenomenology distinct from standard inflation. This provides a qualitatively new method for generating a nearly scale-invariant spectrum of primordial cosmological perturbations.
We investigate observational constraints on inflationary parameters in the context of an holographic cosmology with an induced gravity correction. We consider two situations where a universe is firstly filled with a scalar field and secondly with a tachyon field. Both cases are investigated in a slow-roll regime. We adopt a quadratic potential and an exponential potential for the scalar and the tachyon inflation respectively. In this regard, the standard background and perturbative parameters characterizing the inflationary era are modified by correction terms. We show a good agreement between…
We use holographic techniques to compute inflationary non-Gaussianities for general single-field inflation, including models with a non-trivial sound speed. In this holographic approach, the inflationary dynamics is captured by a relevant deformation of the dual conformal field theory (CFT) in the UV, while the inflationary correlators are computed by conformal perturbation theory. In this paper, we discuss the effects of higher derivative operators, such as $(\partial_μϕ\partial^μϕ)^{m}$, which are known to induce a non-trivial sound speed and source potentially large non-Gaussianities. We co…
We study heavy-quark potential in an inflationary braneworld scenario. The scenario we consider is an (Euclidean) inflating braneworld $AdS_4$ embedded in a static Euclidean $AdS_5$. Using gauge/gravity duality we obtain a confining phase depending on the ratio between the Hubble parameter $H$ in the braneworld and the brane tension $σ$.
In this paper we describe in detail how to solve the problems of pre-inflationary cosmology within the holographic cosmology model of McFadden and Skenderis \cite{McFadden:2009fg}. The solutions of the smoothness and horizon problems, the flatness problem, the entropy and perturbation problems and the baryon asymmetry problem are shown, and the mechanisms for them complement the inflationary solutions. Most of the paper is devoted to the solution of the monopole relic problem, through a detailed calculation of 2-loop correlators of currents in a toy model which we perform in $d$ dimensions, in…
We introduce the relation between the holographic entropy bounds and the inflationary universe. First the holographic entropy bounds for radiation-dominated universe, radiation-dominated universe with a positive cosmological constant are introduced. For an exact de Sitter phase, we use the maximal entropy bound. We classify the inflation based on the quasi-de Sitter spacetime into three steps: slow-roll period of inflation, epoch of reheating, and radiation-dominated era. Then we study how to apply three entropy bounds to the three steps of the inflation. Finally we discuss our results.
The formation of frozen classical perturbations from vacuum quantum fluctuations during inflation is described as a unitary quantum process with apparent "decoherence" caused by the expanding spacetime. It is argued that the maximum observable information content per comoving volume in classical modes is subject to the covariant entropy bound at the time those modes decohere, leading to a new quantitative bound on the information contained in frozen field modes in phase space. This bound implies holographic correlations of large-scale cosmological perturbations that may be observable.
The holographic dark energy model is obtained from a cosmological constant generated by generic quantum gravity effects giving a minimum length. By contrast, the usual bound for the energy density to be limited by the formation of a black hole simply gives the Friedmann equation. The scale of the current cosmological constant relative to the inflationary scale is an arbitrary parameter characterizing initial conditions, which however can be fixed by introducing a physical principle during inflation, as a function of the number of e-folds and the inflationary scale.
We discuss how holographic bounds can be applied to the quantum fluctuations of the inflaton. In general the holographic principle will lead to a bound on the UV cutoff scale of the effective theory of inflation, but it will depend on the coarse-graining prescription involved in calculating the entropy. We propose that the entanglement entropy is a natural measure of the entropy of the quantum perturbations, and show which kind of bound on the cutoff it leads to. Such bounds are related to whether the effects of new physics will show up in the CMB.
The holographic entropy bound is used to estimate the quantum-gravitational discreteness of inflationary perturbations. In the context of scalar inflaton perturbations produced during standard slow-roll inflation, but assuming that horizon-scale perturbations ``freeze out'' in discrete steps separated by one bit of total observable entropy, it is shown that the Hilbert space of a typical horizon-scale inflaton perturbation is equivalent to that of about 10^5 binary spins-- approximately the inverse of the final scalar metric perturbation amplitude, independent of other parameters. Holography t…
Phase-plane stability analysis of a dynamical system describing the Universe as a two-fraction fluid containing baryonic dust and real virial gas quintessence is presented. Existence of a stable periodic solution experiencing inflationary periods is shown. A van der Waals quintessence model is revisited and cyclic Universe solution again found.
In this letter we study a model of inflation in which the inflationary regimen comes from a type of holographic energy density. In particular, we consider the Granda-Oliveros proposal for the holographic energy density, which contains two free dimensionless parameters, $α$ and $β$. This holographic energy density is associated to the so-called Granda-Oliveros infrared cutoff (G-O cutoff). Additionally, since in the inflationary regimen the energy scales are very high, it is necessary to modify the G-O cutoff taking into account a correction due to the ultraviolet cutoff. In this way, we obtain…
We consider a polymer quantization of a free massless scalar field in a homogeneous and isotropic cosmological spacetime. This quantization method assumes that field translations are fundamentally discrete, and is related to but distinct from that used in loop quantum gravity. The semi-classical Friedman equation yields a universe that is non-singular and non-bouncing, without quantum gravity. The model has an early de Sitter-like inflationary phase with sufficient expansion to resolve the horizon and entropy problems, and a built in mechanism for a graceful exit from inflation.
We show how to derive several families of accelerating universe solutions to an Einstein-Aether gravity theory. These solutions provide possible descriptions of inflationary behaviour in the early universe and late-time cosmological acceleration.
We proposed the generalized holographic dark energy model where infrared cutoff is identified with the combination of the FRW universe parameters: the Hubble rate, particle and future horizons, cosmological constant, the universe life-time (if finite) and their derivatives. It is demonstrated that with the corresponding choice of the cutoff one can map such holographic dark energy to modified gravity or gravity with general fluid. Explicitly, F(R) gravity and general perfect fluid are worked out in detail and corresponding infrared cutoff is found. Using this correspondence, we get realistic i…
Holographic RG flows in some cases are known to be related to cosmological solutions. In this paper another example of such correspondence is provided. Holographic RG flows giving rise to asymptotically-free $β$-functions have been analyzed in connection with holographic models of QCD. They are shown upon Wick rotation to provide a large class of inflationary models with logarithmically-soft inflaton potentials. The scalar spectral index is universal and depends only on the number of e-foldings. The ratio of tensor to scalar power depends on the single extra real parameter that defines this cl…
In this article we study closed inflationary universe models proposed by Linde in a brane world cosmological context. In this scenario we determine and characterize the existence of a closed universe, in presence of one self-interacting scalar field with an inflationary stage. Our results are compared to those found in General Relativity.
We consider higher-derivative quantum gravity where renormalization group improved effective action beyond one-loop approximation is derived. Using this effective action, the quantum-corrected FRW equations are analyzed. De Sitter universe solution is found. It is demonstrated that such de Sitter inflationary universe is instable. The slow-roll inflationary parameters are calculated. The contribution of renormalization group improved Gauss-Bonnet term to quantum-corrected FRW equations as well as to instability of de Sitter universe is estimated. It is demonstrated that in this case the spectr…
We explore the idea that the dynamics of the inflationary multiverse is encoded in its future boundary, where it is described by a lower dimensional theory which is conformally invariant in the UV. We propose that a measure for the multiverse, which is needed in order to extract quantitative probabilistic predictions, can be derived in terms of the boundary theory by imposing a UV cutoff. In the inflationary bulk, this is closely related (though not identical) to the so-called scale factor cutoff measure.
We explore cosmological magnetogenesis in the post-inflationary universe, when the inflaton oscillates around its potential minimum and the universe is effectively dominated by cold matter. During this epoch prior to reheating, large-scale magnetic fields can be significantly produced by the cosmological background. By considering magnetogenesis both during and after inflation, we demonstrate that magnetic fields stronger than 10^{-15} G can be generated on Mpc scales without having strong couplings in the theory, or producing too large electric fields that would dominate the universe.
Recently, Verlinde conjectured that gravity may be an entropic force, arising from thermodynamics on the holographic screen. We investigate the implications of the entropic force formalism for inflationary cosmology. We find the background dynamics of inflation can be dually described in the holographic language. At the perturbation level, two kinds of novel scale invariant scalar fluctuations arise from thermal fluctuations on the holographic screen. These fluctuations can be responsible for CMB anisotropy and structure formation.
We construct a gravitational dual of the pseudo-conformal universe, a proposed alternative to inflation in which a conformal field theory in nearly flat space develops a time dependent vacuum expectation value. Constructing this dual amounts to finding five-dimensional domain-wall spacetimes with anti-de Sitter asymptotics, for which the wall has the symmetries of four-dimensional de Sitter space. This holographically realizes the characteristic symmetry breaking pattern O(2,4) to O(1,4) of the pseudo-conformal universe. We present an explicit example with a massless scalar field, using hologr…
Warm inflationary universe models in the context of intermediate expansion, between power law and exponential, are studied. General conditions required for these models to be realizable are derived and discussed. This study is done in the weak and strong dissipative regimes. The inflaton potentials considered in this study are negative-power-law and powers of logarithms, respectively. The parameters of our models are constrained from the WMAP three and five year data.
We investigate a fluid description of inflationary cosmology. It is shown that the three observables of the inflationary universe: the spectral index of the curvature perturbations, the tensor-to-scalar ratio of the density perturbations, and the running of the spectral index, can be compatible with the Planck analysis. In addition, we reconstruct the equation of state (EoS) for a fluid from the spectral index of the curvature perturbations consistent with the Planck results. We explicitly demonstrate that the universe can gracefully exit from inflation in the reconstructed fluid models. Furth…
In this work, we investigate inflationary cosmology using scalar field theory deformed by the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) containing a linear momentum term. Apart from being consistent with the existence of a minimum measurable length scale, this GUP is also consistent with doubly special relativity and hence with the existence of maximum measurable momentum. We use this deformed scalar field theory to analyze the tensor and scalar mode equations in a de Sitter background, and to calculate modifications to the tensor-to-scalar ratio. Finally, we compare our results for the tensor-t…
Summary of three talks on the Holographic Space Time models of early universe cosmology, particle physics, and the asymptotically de Sitter final state of our universe.
We propose a holographic description of four-dimensional single-scalar inflationary universes, and show how cosmological observables, such as the primordial power spectrum, are encoded in the correlation functions of a three-dimensional QFT. The holographic description correctly reproduces standard inflationary predictions in the limit where a perturbative quantization of fluctuations is justified. In the opposite limit, wherein gravity is strongly coupled at early times, we propose a holographic description in terms of perturbative large N QFT. Initiating a holographic phenomenological approa…
We study an inflationary scenario with a vector field coupled with an inflaton field and show that the inflationary universe is endowed with anisotropy for a wide range of coupling functions. This anisotropic inflation is a tracking solution where the energy density of the vector field follows that of the inflaton field irrespective of initial conditions. We find a universal relation between the anisotropy and a slow-roll parameter of inflation. Our finding has observational implications and gives a counter example to the cosmic no-hair conjecture.
We perform the resummation of the infrared logarithms in the inflationary universe. Applying the renormalization group, we derive the stochastic equations as the effective theory at the horizon. We focus on the conformal zero mode to respect local Lorentz symmetry. Under Gaussian approximation, we derive the fundamental equation for the Universe (EqU). We also derive the identical equation from the first law of thermodynamics in a dual geometric picture. We believe it is a convincing evidence for de Sitter duality between quantum stochastic physics on the boundary and classical thermodynamics …
In this article, we study a type of one-field approach for open inflationary universe scenario in the context of braneworld models with a Gauss-Bonnet correction term. For a one-bubble universe model, we determine and characterize the existence of the Coleman-De Lucia instanton together with the period of inflation after tunneling has occurred. Our results are compared those analogous obtained when the usual Einstein Theory of Gravitation is used.
Spherically symmetric gravitationally bound, oscillating scalar lumps (boson stars and oscillatons) are considered in Einstein's gravity coupled to massive scalar fields in 1+D dimensional de Sitter-type inflationary space-times. We show that due to inflation bosons stars and oscillatons lose mass through scalar radiation, but at a rate that is exponentially small when the expansion rate is slow.
In an induced-gravity model, the stability condition of an inflationary slow-rollover solution is shown to be $ϕ_0 \partial_{ϕ_0}V(ϕ_0)=4V(ϕ_0)$. The presence of higher derivative terms will, however, act against the stability of this expanding solution unless further constraints on the field parameters are imposed. We find that these models will acquire a non-vanishing cosmological constant at the end of inflation. Some models are analyzed for their implication to the early universe.
We consider a holographic description of the inflationary multiverse, according to which the wave function of the universe is interpreted as the generating functional for a lower dimensional Euclidean theory. We analyze a simple model where transitions between inflationary vacua occur through bubble nucleation, and the inflating part of spacetime consists of de Sitter regions separated by thin bubble walls. In this model, we present some evidence that the dual theory is conformally invariant in the UV.
We study the emergence of anisotropic (Bianchi IX) inflationary universes with no-boundary conditions in the path integral approach to quantum gravity. In contrast to previous work, we find no evidence for any limit to how large the anisotropies can become, although for increasing anisotropies the shape of the instantons becomes significantly different from Hawking's original no-boundary instanton. In all cases an inflationary phase is reached, with the anisotropies decaying away. Larger anisotropies are associated with a much larger imaginary part of the action, implying that the highly aniso…
We discuss a two-step mechanism to create a new inflationary domain beyond a wormhole throat which is created by a phase transition around an evaporating black hole. The first step is creation of a false vacuum bubble with a thin-wall boundary by the thermal effects of Hawking radiation. Then this wall induces a quantum tunneling to create a wormhole-like configuration. As the space beyond the wormhole throat can expand exponentially, being filled with false vacuum energy, this may be interpreted as creation of another inflationary universe in the final stage of the black hole evaporation.
We explore a cosmological model in which the time scale is variable with the expansion of the universe and the effective spacetime is driven by the inflaton field. An example is considered and their predictions are contrasted between Planck 2018 data. We calculate the spectrum indices and the slow-rolling parameters of the effective potential. The results are in very good agreement with observations.
The curvaton in an intermediate inflationary universe model is studied. This study has allowed us to find some interesting constraints on different parameters that appear in the model.
We apply the holographic principle at the early universe, obtaining an inflation realization of holographic origin. Such a consideration has equal footing with its well-studied late-time application, and moreover the decrease of the horizons at early times naturally increases holographic energy density at inflationary scales. Taking as Infrared cutoff the particle or future event horizons, and adding a simple correction due to the Ultraviolet cutoff, whose role is non-negligible at the high energy scales of inflation, we result in a holographic inflation scenario that is very efficient in inco…
In this review I consider several different issues related to inflation. I will begin with the wave function of the Universe. This issue is pretty old, but recently there were some new insights based on the theory of the self-reproducing inflationary universe. Then we will discuss stationarity of inflationary universe and the possibility to make predictions in the context of quantum cosmology using stochastic approach to inflation. Returning to more pragmatic aspects of inflationary theory, we will discuss inflationary models with $Ω< 1$. Finally, we will describe several aspects of the theory…
Tachyonic inflationary universe model in the context of a Chaplygin gas equation of state is studied. General conditions for this model to be realizable are discussed. By using an effective exponential potential we describe in great details the characteristic of the inflationary universe model. The parameters of the model are restricted by using recent astronomical observations.
In the absence of new physics around $10^{10}$ GeV, the electroweak vacuum is at best metastable. This represents a major challenge for high scale inflationary models as, during the early rapid expansion of the universe, it seems difficult to understand how the Higgs vacuum would not decay to the true lower vacuum of the theory with catastrophic consequences if inflation took place at a scale above $10^{10}$ GeV. In this paper we show that the non-minimal coupling of the Higgs boson to curvature could solve this problem by generating a direct coupling of the Higgs boson to the inflationary pot…
We propose the holographic principle as a dynamical cutoff for any quantum theory of gravity with a geometric description at low energies, incorporating ideas of effective field theory. We illustrate the proposal by revisiting the problem of defining a measure for homogeneous and isotropic spacetimes coupled to a scalar field and conclude by discussing the implications to the inflationary model.
Using the Weitzenböck representation of a Riemann-flat 5D spacetime, we study the possible existence of primordial gravito-magnetic currents from Gravito-electromagnetic Inflation (GEMI). We found that these currents decrease exponentially in the Weitzenböck representation, but they are null in a Levi-Civita representation because we are dealing with a 5D Riemann-flat spacetime without structure or torsion.
In this lecture I give a pedagogical introduction to inflationary cosmology with a special focus on the quantum generation of cosmological perturbations.
In this paper we study a type of one-field model for open inflationary universe models in the context of the Jordan-Brans-Dicke theory. In the scenario of a one-bubble universe model we determine and characterize the existence of the Coleman-De Lucia instanton, together with the period of inflation after tunnelling has occurred. Our results are analogous to those found in the Einstein General Relativity models.
If inflation can occur only at the energy density V much smaller than the Planck density, which is the case for many inflationary models based on string theory, then the probability of quantum creation of a closed or an infinitely large open inflationary universe is exponentially suppressed for all known choices of the wave function of the universe. Meanwhile under certain conditions there is no exponential suppression for creation of topologically nontrivial compact flat or open inflationary universes. This suggests, contrary to the standard textbook lore, that compact flat or open universes …
The formulation of Brans-Dicke (BD) gravity with matter in the Einstein frame is realized as Einstein gravity with dilaton and dilaton coupled matter. We calculate the one-loop 4d anomaly-induced effective action due to N dilaton- coupled massless fermions on the time-dependent conformally flat background with non-trivial dilaton. Using that complete effective action the (fourth-order) quantum corrected equations of motion are derived. One special solution of these equations representing an inflationary Universe (with exponential scale factor) and (much slower) expanding BD dilaton is given. S…
We investigate the inflationary universe in a theory where two scalar fields non-minimally coupling to the scalar curvature and an extra $R^2$ term exist and the conformal invariance is broken. In particular, the slow-roll inflation is explored for the case that one scalar field is dynamical and that two scalar fields are dynamical. As a result, we show that the spectral index of the curvature perturbations and the tensor-to-scalar ratio of the density perturbations can be compatible with the Planck results. It is also demonstrated that the graceful exit from inflation can be realized.
We investigate the global spacetime structure of torus de Sitter universe, which is exact de Sitter space with torus identification based on the flat chart. We show that past incomplete null geodesics in torus de Sitter universe are locally extendible. Then we give an extension of torus de Sitter universe so that at least one of the past incomplete null geodesics in the original spacetime becomes complete. However we find that extended torus de Sitter universe has two ill behaviors. The first one is a closed causal curve. The second one is so called quasi regular singularity, which means that …
Warm inflationary universe models in a tachyon field theory are studied. General conditions required for these models to be realizable are derived and discussed. We describe scalar perturbations (in the longitudinal gauge) and tensor perturbations for these scenarios. We develop our models for a constant dissipation parameter $Γ$ in one case and one dependent on $ϕ$ in the other case. We have been successful in describing such of inflationary universe models. We use recent astronomical observations for constraining the parameters appearing in our model. Also, our results are compared with thei…
Magnetic fields large enough to be observable are ubiquitous in astrophysics, even at extremely large length scales. This has led to the suggestion that such fields are seeded at very early (inflationary) times, and subsequently amplified by various processes involving, for example, dynamo effects. Many such mechanisms give rise to extremely large magnetic fields at the end of inflationary reheating, and therefore also during the quark-gluon plasma epoch of the early universe. Such plasmas have a well-known holographic description in terms of a thermal asymptotically AdS black hole. We show th…
We investigate the descriptions for the observables of inflationary models, in particular, the spectral index of curvature perturbations, the tensor-to-scalar ratio, and the running of the spectral index, in the framework of perfect fluid models and $F(R)$ gravity theories through the reconstruction methods. Furthermore, the perfect fluid and $F(R)$ gravity descriptions of inflation are compared with the recent cosmological observations such as the Planck satellite and BICEP2 experiment. It is demonstrated with explicit examples that perfect fluid may lead to the inflationary universe consiste…
We work out the Standard Model (SM) mass spectrum during inflation with quantum corrections, and explore its observable consequences in the squeezed limit of non-Gaussianity. Both non-Higgs and Higgs inflation models are studied in detail. We also illustrate how some inflationary loop diagrams can be computed neatly by Wick-rotating the inflation background to Euclidean signature and by dimensional regularization.
Warm inflationary universe models in the context of a Chaplygin gas equation are studied. General conditions required for these models to be realizable are derived and discussed. By using a chaotic potential we develop models for a dissipation coefficient of the form $Γ\propto ϕ^n$, with $n=0$ or $n\neq 0$.
We study some gravitational instanton solutions that offer a natural realization of the spontaneous creation of inflationary universes in the brane world context in string theory. Decoherence due to couplings of higher (perturbative) modes of the metric as well as matter fields modifies the Hartle-Hawking wavefunction for de Sitter space. Generalizing this new wavefunction to be used in string theory, we propose a principle in string theory that hopefully will lead us to the particular vacuum we live in, thus avoiding the anthropic principle. As an illustration of this idea, we give a phenomen…
It is shown that the inflationary era in early universe is realized due to the effect of backreaction of quantized matter fields. In fact we start by quantizing a free scalar field in the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker space-time, and the field is fluctuating quantum mechanically around the bottom of the mass potential. We then obtain the vacuum expectation value of the energy density of the scalar field as a functional of the scale factor $a(t)$ of the universe. By plugging it into the Einstein equation, a self-consistent equation is established in which the matter fields determine the time evolu…
Existence and stability analysis of the Kantowski-Sachs type universe in a higher derivative induced gravity theory is studied in details. Existence of one stable mode and one unstable mode is shown to be in favor of the inflationary universe. As a result, the de Sitter background can be made to be stable against anisotropic perturbations with proper constraints imposed on the coupling constants of the induced gravity model.
We show that particle production during the expansion of bubbles of true vacuum in the sea of false vacuum is possible and calculate the resulting rate. As a result the nucleated bubbles cannot expand due to the transfer of false vacuum energy to the created particles inside the bubbles. Therefore all the inflationary models dealing with the nucleation and expansion of the bubbles (including extended inflation) may not be viable.
In this paper we study a type of model for closed inflationary universe models using the Jordan-Brans-Dicke theory. Herein we determine and characterize the existence of $Ω>$1, together with the period of inflation. We have found that our model, which takes into account a Jordan-Brans-Dicke type of theory, is less restrictive than the one used in Einstein's theory of general relativity. Our results are compared to those found in Einstein's theory of Relativity.
