arXiv subjects

Jacopo Fumagalli

Publications and source records attributed to Jacopo Fumagalli.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Matching and running sensitivity in non-renormalizable inflationary models

Most of the inflationary models that are in agreement with the Planck data rely on the presence of non-renormalizable operators. If the connection to low energy particle physics is made, the renormalization group (RG) introduces a sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) physics that can be crucial in determining the inflationary predictions. We analyse this effect for the Standard Model (SM) augmented with non-minimal derivative couplings to gravity. Our set-up reduces to the SM for small values of the Higgs field, and allows for inflation in the opposite large field regime. The one-loop beta functions in the inflationary region are calculated using a covariant approach that properly accounts for the non-trivial structure of the field space manifold. We run the SM parameters from the electroweak to the inflationary scale, matching the couplings of the different effective field theories at the boundary between the two regimes, where we also include threshold corrections that parametrize effects from UV physics. We then compute the spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio and find that RG flow corrections can be determinant: a scenario that is ruled out at tree level can be resurrected and vice versa.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Hyper non-Gaussianities in inflation with strongly non-geodesic motion

Several recent proposals to embed inflation into high-energy physics rely on inflationary dynamics characterized by a strongly non-geodesic motion in negatively curved field space. This naturally leads to a transient instability of perturbations on sub-Hubble scales, and to their exponential amplification. Supported by first-principle numerical computations, and by the analytical insight provided by the effective field theory of inflation, we show that the bispectrum is enhanced in flattened configurations, and we argue that an analogous result holds for all higher-order correlation functions. These ``hyper non-Gaussianities'' thus provide powerful model-independent constraints on non-standard inflationary attractors motivated by the search for ultraviolet completions of inflation.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Disformal transformations as a change of units

A disformal transformation is a very useful tool to analyze a general effective theory description of inflation. It can for example be used to set the tensor sound speed to unity, such that the tensor power spectrum only depends on the Hubble parameter. However, the disformal transformation has also led to quite some confusion in recent literature. We hope to clarify that confusion by pointing out that a disformal transformation is nothing else than a change of units. We show how everything that can be achieved by a (possibly time-dependent) disformal transformation, equally follows from the equivalent change of units, up to all orders in perturbation theory. We also comment on the sensitivity of the tensor power spectrum to a non-standard tensor speed of sound.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Unitarity and predictiveness in new Higgs inflation

In new Higgs inflation the Higgs kinetic terms are non-minimally coupled to the Einstein tensor, allowing the Higgs field to play the role of the inflaton. The new interaction is non-renormalizable, and the model only describes physics below some cutoff scale. Even if the unknown UV physics does not affect the tree level inflaton potential significantly, it may still enter at loop level and modify the running of the Standard Model (SM) parameters. This is analogous to what happens in the original model for Higgs inflation. A key difference, though, is that in new Higgs inflation the inflationary predictions are sensitive to this running. Thus the boundary conditions at the EW scale as well as the unknown UV completion may leave a signature on the inflationary parameters. However, this dependence can be evaded if the kinetic terms of the SM fermions and gauge fields are non-minimally coupled to gravity as well. Our approach to determine the model's UV dependence and the connection between low and high scale physics can be used in any particle physics model of inflation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Renormalization Group independence of Cosmological Attractors

The large class of inflationary models known as $α$- and $ξ$-attractors gives identical cosmological predictions at tree level (at leading order in inverse power of the number of efolds). Working with the renormalization group improved action, we show that these predictions are robust under quantum corrections. This means that for all the models considered the inflationary parameters $(n_s,r)$ are (nearly) independent on the Renormalization Group flow. The result follows once the field dependence of the renormalization scale, fixed by demanding the leading log correction to vanish, satisfies a quite generic condition. In Higgs inflation (which is a particular $ξ$-attractor) this is indeed the case; in the more general attractor models this is still ensured by the renormalizability of the theory in the effective field theory sense.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

UV (in)sensitivity of Higgs inflation

The predictions of Standard Model Higgs inflation are in excellent agreement with the Planck data, without the need for new fields. However, consistency of the theory requires the presence of (unknown) threshold corrections. These modify the running of the couplings, and thereby change the shape of the inflationary potential. This raises the question how sensitive the CMB parameters are to the UV completion. We show that, due to a precise cancellation, the inflationary predictions are almost unaffected. This implies in general that one cannot relate the spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio to the precise top and Higgs mass measurements at the LHC, nor can one probe effects of UV physics on the running.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Non-local formulation of ghost-free bigravity theory

We study the ghost-free bimetric theory of Hassan and Rosen, with parameters $β_i$ such that a flat Minkowski solution exists for both metrics. We show that, expanding around this solution and eliminating one of the two metrics with its own equation of motion, the remaining metric is governed by the Einstein-Hilbert action plus a non-local term proportional to $W_{μνρσ} (\Box-m^2)^{-1}W^{μνρσ}$, where $W_{μνρσ}$ is the Weyl tensor. The result is valid to quadratic order in the metric perturbation and to all orders in the derivative expansion. This example shows, in a simple setting, how such non-local extensions of GR can emerge from an underlying consistent theory, at the purely classical level.

hep-th↗