Jun'ichi Yokoyama

Generalized G-Inflation—Inflation with the Most General Second-Order Field Equations—

We study generalized Galileons as a framework to develop the most general single-field inflation models ever, Generalized G-inflation, containing yet further generalization of Ginf lation, as well as previous examples such as k-inflation, extended inflation, and new Higgs inflation as special cases. We investigate the background and perturbation evolution in this model, calculating the most general quadratic actions for tensor and scalar cosmological perturbations to give the stability criteria and the power spectra of primordial fluctuations. It is pointed out in the Appendix that the Horndeski theory and the generalized Galileons are equivalent. In particular, even the non-minimal coupling to the Gauss-Bonnet term is included in the generalized Galileons in a non-trivial manner. Subject Index: 440, 442, 453

New cosmological constraints on primordial black holes

We update the constraints on the fraction of the Universe going into primordial black holes in the mass range 10{sup 9}-10{sup 17} g associated with the effects of their evaporations on big bang nucleosynthesis and the extragalactic photon background. We include for the first time all the effects of quark and gluon emission by black holes on these constraints and account for the latest observational developments. We then discuss the other constraints in this mass range and show that these are weaker than the nucleosynthesis and photon background limits, apart from a small range 10{sup 13}-10{sup 14} g, where the damping of cosmic microwave background anisotropies dominates. Finally we review the gravitational and astrophysical effects of nonevaporating primordial black holes, updating constraints over the broader mass range 1-10{sup 50} g.

Inflation Driven by the Galileon Field

We propose a new class of inflation model, G inflation, which has a Galileon-like nonlinear derivative interaction of the form G(ϕ,(∇ϕ)(2))□ϕ in the Lagrangian with the resultant equations of motion being of second order. It is shown that (almost) scale-invariant curvature fluctuations can be generated even in the exactly de Sitter background and that the tensor-to-scalar ratio can take a significantly larger value than in the standard inflation models, violating the standard consistency relation. Furthermore, violation of the null energy condition can occur without any instabilities. As a result, the spectral index of tensor modes can be blue, which makes it easier to observe quantum gravitational waves from inflation by the planned gravitational-wave experiments such as LISA and DECIGO as well as by the upcoming CMB experiments such as Planck and CMBpol.

Equilibrium state of a self-interacting scalar field in the de Sitter background

The behavior of a weakly self-interacting scalar field with a small mass in the de Sitter background is investigated using the stochastic approach (including the case of a double-well interaction potential). The existence of the de Sitter-invariant equilibrium quantum state of the scalar field in the presence of the interaction is shown for any sign of the mass term. The stochastic approach is further developed to produce a method of calculating an arbitrary anomalously large correlation function of the scalar field in the de Sitter background, and expressions for the two-point correlation function in the equilibrium state, correlation time, and spatial physical correlation radius are presented. The latter does not depend on time, which implies that the characteristic size of domains with positive and negative values of the scalar field remains the same on average in the equilibrium state in spite of the expansion of the t=const hypersurface of the de Sitter space-time.

Generation of Large-Scale Magnetic Fields in Single-Field Inflation

We consider the generation of large scale magnetic fields in slow-roll inflation. The inflaton field is described in a supergravity framework where the conformal invariance of the electromagnetic field is generically and naturally broken. For each class of inflationary scenarios, we determine the functional dependence of the gauge coupling that is consistent with the observations on the magnetic field strength at various astrophysical scales and, at the same time, avoid a back-reaction problem. Then, we study whether the required coupling functions can naturally emerge in well motivated, possibly string inspired, models. We argue that this is non-trivial and can be realized only for a restricted class of scenarios. This includes power-law inflation where the inflaton field is interpreted as a modulus. However, this scenario seems to be consistent only if the energy scale of inflation is low and the reheating stage prolonged. Another reasonable possibility appears to be small field models since no back-reaction problem is present in this case but, unfortunately, the corresponding scenario cannot be justified in a stringy framework. Finally, large field models do not lead to sensible model building.

Chaotic inflation and baryogenesis in supergravity.

We propose a Kaehler potential in supergravity which successfully accommodates chaotic inflation. This model can have a large gravitino mass without giving a large mass to squarks and sleptons, and thus is free from both the gravitino problem and entropy crisis. In this model baryogenesis takes places naturally, identifying the inflaton with a right-handed sneutrino with its mass [ital M][congruent]10[sup 13] GeV, which is consistent with the COBE data and the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein solution to the solar neutrino problem. The model can also accommodate the matter content appropriate for the mixed dark matter scenario.

Higgs G-inflation

A new class of inflation models within the context of G inflation is proposed, in which the standard model Higgs boson can act as an inflaton thanks to Galileon-like nonlinear derivative interaction. The generated primordial density perturbation is shown to be consistent with the present observational data. We also make a general discussion on potential-driven G-inflation models, and find a new consistency relation between the tensor-to-scalar ratio r and the tensor spectral index n{sub T}, r=-32{radical}(6)n{sub T}/9, which is crucial in discriminating the present models from standard inflation with a canonical kinetic term.

On the dynamics of the power law inflation due to an exponential potential

Abstract The power law inflationary universe model induced by a scalar field with an exponential potential is studied. A dissipation term due to particle creation is introduced in the inflations classical equation of motion. It is shown that the power index of the inflation increases prominently with an adequate viscosity. Consequently, even in theories with a rather steep exponential such as some supergravity or superstring models, it turns out that a “realistic” power law inflation (with a power index p⪆10) is possible.

Large scale magnetic fields from inflation in dilaton electromagnetism

The generation of large-scale magnetic fields is studied in dilaton electromagnetism in inflationary cosmology, taking into account the dilatons evolution throughout inflation and reheating until it is stabilized with possible entropy production. It is shown that large-scale magnetic fields with observationally interesting strength at the present time could be generated if the conformal invariance of the Maxwell theory is broken through the coupling between the dilaton and electromagnetic fields in such a way that the resultant quantum fluctuations in the magnetic field has a nearly scale-invariant spectrum. If this condition is met, the amplitude of the generated magnetic field could be sufficiently large even in the case huge amount of entropy is produced with the dilution factor

Primordial non-Gaussianity from G inflation

\sim 10^{24}