arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C. Panagiotakopoulos.
We show how supersymmetric hybrid inflation with scalar spectral index $n_{\rm s}\simeq 0.96 - 0.97$ is realized in the context of quasi-minimal supergravity if we insist that the inflationary potential not exhibit any local minima. We also address the problem of the initial conditions for both monotonic and non-monotonic inflationary potentials.
We show how successful supersymmetric hybrid inflation is realized in realistic models where the resolution of the minimal supersymmetric standard model mu problem is intimately linked with axion physics. The scalar fields that accompany the axion, such as the saxion, are closely monitored during and after inflation to ensure that the axion isocurvature perturbations lie below the observational limits. The scalar spectral index n_s is about 0.96 - 0.97, while the tensor-to-scalar ratio r, a canonical measure of gravity waves, lies well below the observable range in our example. The axion domain walls are inflated away, and depending on the axion decay constant f_a and the magnitude of the mu parameter, the axions and/or the lightest supersymmetric particle compose the dark matter in the universe. Non-thermal leptogenesis is naturally implemented in this class of models.
We present a two stage hybrid inflationary scenario in non-minimal supergravity which can predict values of the tensor-to-scalar ratio of the order of few times 0.01. For the parameters considered, the underlying supersymmetric particle physics model possesses two inflationary paths, the trivial and the semi-shifted one. The trivial path is stabilized by supergravity corrections and supports a first stage of inflation with a limited number of e-foldings. The tensor-to-scalar ratio can become appreciable while the value of the scalar spectral index remains acceptable as a result of the competition between the relatively mild supergravity corrections and the strong radiative corrections to the inflationary potential. The additional number of e-foldings required for solving the puzzles of hot big bang cosmology are generated by a second stage of inflation taking place along the semi-shifted path. This is possible only because the semi-shifted path is almost perpendicular to the trivial one and, thus, not affected by the strong radiative corrections along the trivial path and also because the supergravity effects remain mild. The requirement that the running of the scalar spectral index remains acceptable limits the possible values of the tensor-to-scalar ratio not to exceed about 0.05. Our model predicts the formation of an unstable string-monopole network, which may lead to detectable gravity wave signatures in future space-based laser interferometer observations.
A double hybrid inflationary scenario in non-minimal supergravity which can predict values of the tensor-to-scalar ratio up to about 0.05 is presented. Larger values of this ratio would require unacceptably large running of the scalar spectral index. The underlying supersymmetric particle physics model possesses, for the chosen values of the parameters, practically two inflationary paths, the trivial and the semi-shifted one. The trivial path is stabilized by supergravity and supports a first stage of inflation with a limited number of e-foldings. The tensor-to-scalar ratio can become appreciable with the scalar spectral index remaining acceptable, as a result of the competition between the relatively mild supergravity and the strong radiative corrections to the inflationary potential. The additional number of e-foldings required for solving the puzzles of hot big bang cosmology are generated by a second stage of inflation along the semi-shifted path. This is possible only because the semi-shifted path is almost orthogonal to the trivial one and, thus, not affected by the strong radiative corrections on the trivial path and also because the supergravity effects remain mild. The model predicts the formation of an unstable network of open cosmic strings connecting monopoles to antimonopoles. This network decays to gravity waves well before recombination leading to possibly detectable signatures in future space-based laser interferometer gravitational-wave detectors.
We present viable F-term realizations of the hybrid inflationary scenario in the context of supergravity addressing at the same time the well-known problems of the initial conditions and of the adequate suppression of the inflaton mass. An essential role in our construction is played by "decoupled" superheavy fields without superpotential acquiring large vevs due to D-terms associated with "anomalous" U(1) gauge symmetries. The naturalness of the initial conditions is achieved through a "chaotic" inflation starting at energies close to the Planck scale and driven by the "anomalous" D-terms. We discuss two distinct mechanisms leading to such an early "chaotic" D-term inflation which depend on the choice of the Kähler potential involving the superheavy fields. The one relies on a choice of the Kähler potential of the $SU(1,1)/U(1)$ Kähler manifold of the type encountered in no-scale supergravity whereas the other employs a more "conventional" choice for the Kähler potential of the $SU(1,1)/U(1)$ or $SU(2)/U(1)$ Kähler manifold but invokes rather specific valuesof the Fayet-Iliopoulos $ξ$ term.
We review the basic field-theoretic and phenomenological features of the recently introduced Minimal Nonminimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MNSSM). The introduced model is the simplest and most economic version among the proposed nonminimal supersymmetric models, in which the so-called $μ$-problem can be successfully addressed. As opposed to the MSSM and the frequently-discussed NMSSM, the MNSSM can naturally predict the existence of a light charged Higgs boson with a mass smaller than 100 GeV. Such a possible realization of the Higgs sector can be soon be tested at the upgraded Run II phase of the Tevatron collider.
A possible discovery of a relatively light charged Higgs boson H^+ in near future experiments, with a mass M_{H+} ~< 110 GeV, together with the present LEP2 direct limits on the chargino and neutral Higgs sectors, would disfavour the minimal supersymmetric standard model as well as its frequently discussed next-to-minimal supersymmetric extension. We show that a supersymmetric origin can naturally be ascribed to the existence of such a light charged Higgs scalar within the context of the recently introduced minimal nonminimal supersymmetric standard model.
Hybrid inflation is a natural scenario in the absence of supersymmetry. In the context of supergravity, however, it has to face the naturalness problems of the initial conditions and of the adequate suppression of the inflaton mass. Both can be successfully addressed in a class of models involving Kaehler potentials associated with products of SU(1,1)/U(1) Kaehler manifolds and "decoupled" fields acquiring large vacuum expectation values through D-terms.
We consider the simplest and most economic version among the proposed non-minimal supersymmetric models, in which the $μ$-parameter is promoted to a singlet superfield, whose all self-couplings are absent from the renormalizable superpotential. Such a particularly simple form of the renormalizable superpotential may be enforced by discrete $R$-symmetries which are extended to the gravity-induced non-renormalizable operators as well. We show explicitly that within the supergravity-mediated supersymmetry-breaking scenario, the potentially dangerous divergent tadpoles associated with the presence of the gauge singlet first appear at loop levels higher than 5 and therefore do not destabilize the gauge hierarchy. The model provides a natural explanation for the origin of the $μ$-term, without suffering from the visible axion or the cosmological domain-wall problem. Focusing on the Higgs sector of this minimal non-minimal supersymmetric standard model, we calculate its effective Higgs potential by integrating out the dominant quantum effects due to stop squarks. We then discuss the phenomenological implications of the Higgs scalars predicted by the theory for the present and future high-energy colliders. In particular, we find that our new minimal non-minimal supersymmetric model can naturally accommodate a relatively light charged Higgs boson, with a mass close to the present experimental lower bound.
We construct a new minimal extension of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) by promoting the $μ$-parameter to a singlet superfield. The resulting renormalizable superpotential is enforced by a $\mathcal{Z}_5$ $R$-symmetry which is imposed on the non-renormalizable operators as well. The proposed model provides a natural solution to the $μ$-problem and is free from phenomenological and cosmological problems.
In the presence of fields without superpotential but with large vevs through D-terms the mass-squared of the inflaton in the context of supergravity hybrid inflation receives positive contributions which could cancel the possibly negative K$\ddot{a}$hler potential ones. The mechanism is demonstrated using K$\ddot{a}$hler potentials associated with products of $SU(1,1)/U(1)$ K$\ddot{a}$hler manifolds. In a particularly simple model of this type all supergravity corrections to the F-term potential turn out to be proportional to the inflaton mass allowing even for an essentially completely flat inflationary potential. The model also allows for a detectable gravitational wave contribution to the microwave background anisotropy. Its initial conditions are quite natural largely due to a built in mechanism for a first stage of ``chaotic'' D-term inflation.
We present a supergravity inflationary scenario in which the inflaton field takes values considerably larger than the Planck scale. It is based on a class of inflationary potentials which can be derived from ``singular'' Kaehler potentials assuming simple superpotentials of the type $W\simS^n$. To this class belong, among many others, all potentials which are even infinitesimally smaller than the one derived from the minimal Kaehler potential. Our scenario allows for a detectable gravitational wave contribution to the microwave background anisotropy.
We address the issue of fine-tuning of the initial field configuration that can lead to hybrid inflation in the context of global supersymmetry. This problem is generated by the difference between the energy scale at which the Universe emerges from the Planck era and the inflationary scale implied by the COBE observations: V^{1/4} \sim 10^{-3} m_{Pl}. We propose a scenario with two stages of inflation. The first stage, with a typical scale not far from m_{Pl}, occurs ``naturally'' and provides the necessary homogeneity for the second stage. The latter generates the density perturbations that result in the cosmic microwave background anisotropy observed by COBE.
We reconsider the Next to Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM) as a natural solution to the $μ$-problem and show that both the stability and the cosmological domain wall problems are eliminated if we impose a ${\cal {Z}}_2$ $R$-symmetry on the non-renormalizable operators.
We study the generation of the GUT scale through radiative corrections in the context of a R-symmetric "flipped" SU(5) X U(1)_X model. A negative mass squared term for the GUT Higgs fields develops due to radiative effects along a flat direction at a superheavy energy scale. The R-symmetry is essential in maintaining triplet-doublet splitting and F-flatness in the presence of non-renormalizable terms. The model displays radiative electroweak symmetry breaking and satisfies all relevant phenomenological constraints.
We construct a hybrid inflationary model associated with the superheavy scale of the minimal supersymmetric standard model which is based on the simplest superpotential for symmetry breaking and in which the inflaton potential along the inflationary trajectory is essentially provided by quasi-canonical supergravity. The resulting spectrum of adiabatic density perturbations is blue and the duration of inflation sufficient but rather limited.
We construct a hybrid inflationary model associated with the superheavy scale of supersymmetric grand unified theories in which the inflaton potential is provided entirely by canonical supergravity. We find that the spectrum of adiabatic density perturbations is characterized by a strongly varying spectral index which is considerably larger than unity. Moreover, the total number of e-foldings is very limited. Implications of our analysis for other hybrid inflationary scenarios are briefly discussed.
We perform a numerical investigation of the field evolution in the smooth hybrid inflationary model. We find that for almost all the examined initial values we do get an adequate amount of inflation. Our results show that the model is ''natural'' and satisfactory.