Physics – High Energy Physics – High Energy Physics - Theory
Scientific paper
2010-11-15
Phys.Rev.D83:043511,2011
Physics
High Energy Physics
High Energy Physics - Theory
11 pages; v3: matched with the published version; results unchanged; accepted in Phys. Rev. D 2011
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevD.83.043511
We analyze decay processes of the inflaton field, phi, during the coherent oscillation phase after inflation in f(phi)R gravity. It is inevitable that the inflaton decays gravitationally into gauge fields in the presence of f(phi)R coupling. We show a concrete calculation of the rate that the inflaton field decays into a pair of gauge fields via the trace anomaly. Comparing this new decay channel via the anomaly with the channels from the tree-level analysis, we find that the branching ratio crucially depends on masses and the internal multiplicities (flavor quantum number) of decay product particles. While the inflaton decays exclusively into light fields, heavy fields still play a role in quantum loops. We argue that this process in principle allows us to constrain the effects of arbitrary heavy particles in the reheating. We also apply our analysis to Higgs inflation, and find that the gravitational decay rate would never exceed gauge interaction decay rates if quantum gravity is unimportant.
No associations
LandOfFree
Rate of gravitational inflaton decay via gauge trace anomaly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Rate of gravitational inflaton decay via gauge trace anomaly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rate of gravitational inflaton decay via gauge trace anomaly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-298637