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arXiv · 1303.6253

Wess-Zumino Inflation in Light of Planck

Djuna Croon·John Ellis·Nick E. Mavromatos
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Abstract

We discuss cosmological inflation in the minimal Wess-Zumino model with a single massive chiral supermultiplet. With suitable parameters and assuming a plausible initial condition at the start of the inflationary epoch, the model can yield scalar perturbations in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) of the correct strength with a spectral index n_s ~ 0.96 and a tensor-to-scalar perturbation ratio r < 0.1, consistent with the Planck CMB data. We also discuss the possibility of topological inflation within the Wess-Zumino model, and the possibility of combining it with a seesaw model for neutrino masses. This would violate R-parity, but at such a low rate that the lightest supersymmetric particle would have a lifetime long enough to constitute the astrophysical cold dark matter.

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Djuna Croon, John Ellis, Nick E. Mavromatos. 2013-03-25. Wess-Zumino Inflation in Light of Planck. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2013.06.016

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