Related papers: Broken scale invariance, $\alpha$-attractors and v…
There is solid theoretical and observational motivation behind the idea of scale-invariance as a fundamental symmetry of Nature. We consider a recently proposed classically scale-invariant inflationary model, quadratic in curvature and…
We consider a broad class of inflationary models that arise naturally in supergravity. They are defined in terms of a parameter $\alpha$ that determines the curvature and cutoff of these models. As a function of this parameter, we exhibit…
We study $\alpha$-attractor models with both E-model and T-model potential in an extended Non-Minimal Derivative (NMD) inflation where a canonical scalar field and its derivatives are non-minimally coupled to gravity. We calculate the…
We develop four-parameter supergravity models of inflation and dark energy, constrained so that ${\delta\rho\over \rho}$, $n_s$ and the cosmological constant $\Lambda $ take their known observable values, but where the mass of gravitino…
Recently a broad class of superconformal inflationary models was found leading to a universal observational prediction $n_s=1-2/N$ and $r=12/N^2$. Here we generalize this class of models by introducing a parameter $\alpha$ inversely…
Various extensions of standard inflationary models have been proposed recently by adding vector fields. Because they are generally motivated by large-scale anomalies, and the possibility of statistical anisotropy of primordial fluctuations,…
Recent theoretical ideas and observational claims suggest that the fine structure constant alpha may be variable. We examine a spectrum of models in which alpha is a function of a scalar field. Specifically, we consider three scenarios:…
An inflation model with inverse symmetry breaking of two scalar fields is proposed. Constraints on the parameters for a successful inflation are obtained. In general the inequality $\lambda_1\ll g <\lambda_2$ should be satisfied, where…
We introduce a methodology to test models with spatial variations of the fine-structure constant $\alpha$, based on the calculation of the angular power spectrum of these measurements. This methodology enables comparisons of observations…
Inflationary $\alpha$-attractor models can be naturally implemented in supergravity with hyperbolic geometry. They have stable predictions for observables, such as $n_s=1-{2/ N_e} $, assuming that the potential in terms of the original…
In the large extra dimensional braneworld inflation, Friedmann equation is modified to include a quadratic term in energy density with an additional parameter $\lambda$ called brane tension in addition to the usual linear term. The high…
We consider a long range scalar force that mainly couples to dark matter and unstable Standard Model states, like the muon, with tiny strength. Probing this type of force would present a challenge to observations. We point out that the…
We point out that the prediction of the minimal chaotic inflation model is altered if a scalar field takes a large field value close to the Planck scale during inflation due to a negative Hubble induced mass. In particular, we show that the…
A unified multi scalar field model with three flat regions is discussed. The three flat regions are the inflation, early and late dark energy epochs. The potential is obtained by a spontaneous breaking of scale invariance generated by Non…
We study the dynamics of a timelike vector field which violates Lorentz invariance when the background spacetime is in an accelerating phase in the early universe. It is shown that a timelike vector field is difficult to realize an…
We study both the background evolution and cosmological perturbations of anisotropic inflationary models supported by coupled scalar and vector fields. The models we study preserve the U(1) gauge symmetry associated with the vector field,…
During inflation, there is a preferred reference frame in which the expansion of the background spacetime is spatially isotropic. In contrast to Minkowski spacetime, observables can depend on the velocity of the system with respect to this…
Classically scale-invariant (and perturbative) theories provide a way to understand large hierarchies, as scales are generated through dimensional transmutation. They always lead to first-order phase transitions, since symmetries are…
We consider a supersymmetric hybrid inflation scenario in which the U(1) $R$-symmetry is explicitly broken by Planck scale suppressed operators in the superpotential. We provide an example with minimal K\"ahler potential, with the…
We investigate the inflationary implications of extensions of Poincare symmetry. The simplest constructions with local scale invariance lead to universal predictions: the spectral index is $n_s = 1-2/N$, in excellent agreement with Planck…