arXiv subjects

Kai-Ge Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Kai-Ge Zhang.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Localized Steps toward ACT-Favored Inflation

Recent ACT measurements favor a scalar spectral index larger than the Planck value, posing a challenge to many single-field slow-roll inflation models. We show that a smooth, localized step in the inflaton potential can shift the predicted scalar spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio by displacing the field value at which the CMB pivot scale exits the horizon. This mechanism can move monomial and, in particular, plateau-like attractor models toward the ACT-favored region, whereas the induced shift remains insufficient in natural inflation. We derive semi-analytical expressions for the step-induced remapping and quantify the associated effective e-fold shift, finding that it can be comparable to, and in some cases exceed, the shift allowed by conservative reheating uncertainties.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Axion Inflation from Heavy-Fermion One-Loop Effects

We derive a one-loop effective description of axion inflation by integrating out a heavy Dirac fermion with an inflaton-dependent complex mass undergoing a smooth localized threshold transition. The threshold induces correlated corrections to the inflaton and gauge sectors, including a Coleman-Weinberg term, a vacuum-polarization correction, and an anomaly-induced Chern-Simons coupling. Together, these effects transiently enhance and localize gauge-field production, generating a chiral stochastic gravitational-wave background in the deci-hertz band within the projected sensitivities of BBO and DECIGO, while remaining below representative primordial-black-hole bounds.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Suppression of scalar perturbations due to a heavy axion

A fast-rolling axion can transfer its kinetic energy to gauge fields via the Chern-Simons coupling, leading to copious production of gauge quanta during inflation. The amplified gauge fields act as a source for both scalar and tensor perturbations. In this work, we propose a mechanism for suppressing scalar perturbations while sourcing strong tensor perturbations. We present an implementation of such a mechanism, demonstrating that sourced tensor perturbations are expected to be detected by upcoming next-generation CMB experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Gravitational Waves from Gauge Quanta Produced during Inflation

A fast-rolling axion can transfer its kinetic energy to a gauge field via the Chern-Simons coupling, leading to copious production of gauge quanta, which can act as a source of gravitational waves (GWs) with potentially observable amplitudes. In this work, we investigate GW production in a spectator axion model when strong backreaction is taken into account. We find that decreasing the decay constant of the axion enhances GW production. Since the initial value of the axion is larger than its quantum fluctuations, such a condition imposes a lower bound on the axion dacay constant, which sets an upper bound on the amplitude of the energy spectrum of GWs. As a result, the amplitude of the predicted GW energy spectrum is lower than $10^{-10}$ in the nHz to mHz frequency range.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Strong backreaction of gauge quanta produced during inflation

During inflation an axion field coupled to a gauge field through a Chern-Simons term can trigger the production of gauge quanta due to a tachyonic instability. The amplification of the gauge field modes exponentially depends on the velocity of the axion field, which in turn slows down the rolling of the axion field when backreaction is taken into account. To illustrate how the strength of the Chern-Simons coupling and the slope of the axion potential influence the particle production, in this paper we consider a toy model in which the axion field is a spectator with a linear potential. In the strong backreaction regime, the energy density of the gauge field quasiperiodically oscillates. The steep slope of the axion potential linearly increases the peak amplitude of the energy density while the strong coupling linearly decreases the peak amplitude. Additionally, we calculate the energy spectrum of gravitational waves.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Gravitational Waves from a Gauge Field Non-minimally Coupled to Gravity

An axion-like spectator during inflation can trigger a tachyonic instability which amplifies the modes of one of the helicities of the gauge field, resulting in the production of parity-violating gravitational waves (GWs). In this paper we investigate the impact of the coupling $RFF$ of the gauge field to gravity on the production of GWs. We find that such a coupling introduces a multiplicative factor to the tachyonic mass, which effectively enhances the amplitude of the gauge field modes. Produced GWs are expected to be observed by future space-based GW detectors. Additionally, we find that the strong backreaction due to particle production leads to multiple peaks in the energy spectrum of GWs.

astro-ph.CO↗