Arjun Berera

Scalar perturbation spectra from warm inflation

We present a numerical integration of the cosmological scalar perturbation equations in warm inflation. The initial conditions are provided by a discussion of the thermal fluctuations of an inflaton field and thermal radiation using a combination of thermal field theory and thermodynamics. The perturbation equations include the effects of a damping coefficient

Warm inflation and its microphysical basis

\ensuremath{\Gamma}

Warm inflation in the adiabatic regime - A model, an existence proof for inflationary dynamics in quantum field theory

and a thermodynamic potential V. We give an analytic expression for the spectral index of scalar fluctuations in terms of a new slow-roll parameter constructed from

Strong dissipative behavior in quantum field theory

\ensuremath{\Gamma}.

Perturbation spectra in the warm inflationary scenario

A series of toy models, inspired by spontaneous symmetry breaking and a known form of the damping coefficient, lead to a spectrum with

General dissipation coefficient in low-temperature warm inflation

{n}_{s}g1

Dissipation coefficients from scalar and fermion quantum field interactions

on large scales and

The importance of being warm (during inflation)

{n}_{s}l1

A first principles warm inflation model that solves the cosmological horizon and flatness problems

on small scales.

Shear viscous effects on the primordial power spectrum from warm inflation

The microscopic quantum field theory origins of warm inflation dynamics are reviewed. The warm inflation scenario is first described along with its results, predictions and comparison with the standard cold inflation scenario. The basics of thermal field theory required in the study of warm inflation are discussed. Quantum field theory real time calculations at finite temperature are then presented and the derivation of dissipation and stochastic fluctuations are shown from a general perspective. Specific results are given of dissipation coefficients for a variety of quantum field theory interaction structures relevant to warm inflation, in a form that can be readily used by model builders. Different particle physics models realizing warm inflation are presented along with their observational predictions.