The Lyth Bound and the End of Inflation

Details The Lyth Bound and the End of Inflation The Lyth Bound and the End of Inflation

2006-01-12

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0601276v3

JCAP 0608 (2006) 004

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

10 pages, RevTeX, 2 figures (V3: version accepted for publication by JCAP)

Scientific paper

10.1088/1475-7516/2006/08/004

We derive an extended version of the well-known Lyth Bound on the total variation of the inflaton field, incorporating higher order corrections in slow roll. We connect the field variation $\Delta\phi$ to both the spectral index of scalar perturbations and the amplitude of tensor modes. We then investigate the implications of this bound for ``small field'' potentials, where the field rolls off a local maximum of the potential. The total field variation during inflation is {\em generically} of order $m_{\rm Pl}$, even for potentials with a suppressed tensor/scalar ratio. Much of the total field excursion arises in the last e-fold of inflation and in single field models this problem can only be avoided via fine-tuning or the imposition of a symmetry. Finally, we discuss the implications of this result for inflationary model building in string theory and supergravity.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Lyth Bound and the End of Inflation 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 The Lyth Bound and the End of Inflation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Lyth Bound and the End of Inflation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-451828