English

Echoes from a long time ago: Chewbacca inflation

Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics 2024-04-01 v1 General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology High Energy Physics - Phenomenology High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation offers a unique avenue for exploring the early Universe's dynamics and evolution. In this paper, we delve into the fascinating realm of slow-roll inflation, contextualizing the primordial acoustic perturbations as the resonant echoes akin to the iconic sound of Chewbacca from the Star Wars universe. By extrapolating polynomial potentials for these primordial sounds, we illuminate their role in shaping the inflationary landscape. Leveraging this framework, we calculate the scalar spectral index (nsn_s) and tensor-to-scalar ratio (rr), providing insights into the underlying physics governing the inflationary epoch. Employing a rigorous chi-square (χ2\chi^2) analysis, we meticulously scrutinize the Planck data combined with that offered by the BICEP/Keck collaboration to identify the Chewbacca sound profile that best aligns with observational constraints. Our findings not only shed light on the intricate interplay between sound and cosmology but also unveil intriguing parallels between the cosmic symphony of the early universe and beloved cultural icons.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2403.20143,
  title  = {Echoes from a long time ago: Chewbacca inflation},
  author = {D. Sidious and S. Arcari and N. Barbieri and L. Bazzanini and L. Caloni and G. Galloni and R. Impavido and M. Lattanzi and M. Lembo and A. Raffaelli and N. Raffuzzi and S. S. Sirletti},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.20143},
  year   = {2024}
}

Comments

8 pages + references, 5 figures. Prepared for submission to the Annals of Improbable Research on April 1st 2024. Find "The Sound of the Big Bang" in the audio folder of the source file

R2 v1 2026-06-28T15:38:16.834Z