arXiv subjects

Nick E. Mavromatos

Publications and source records attributed to Nick E. Mavromatos.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

Inflation via Gravitino Condensation in Dynamically Broken Supergravity

Gravitino-condensate-induced inflation via the super-Higgs effect is a UV-motivated scenario for both inflating the early universe and breaking local supersymmetry dynamically, entirely independent of any coupling to external matter. As an added benefit, this also removes the (as of yet unobserved) massless Goldstino associated to global supersymmetry breaking from the particle spectrum. In this review we detail the pertinent properties and outline previously hidden details of the various steps required in this context in order to make contact with current inflationary phenomenology. The class of models of SUGRA we use to exemplify our approach are minimal four-dimensional N=1 supergravity and conformal extensions thereof (with broken conformal symmetry). Therein, the gravitino condensate itself can play the role of the inflaton, however the requirement of slow-roll necessitates unnaturally large values of the wave-function renormalisation. Nevertheless, there is an alternative scenario that may provide Starobinsky-type inflation, occurring in the broken-SUGRA phase around the non-trivial minima of the gravitino-condensate effective potential. In this scenario higher curvature corrections to the effective action, crucial for the onset of an inflationary phase, arise as a result of integrating out massive quantum gravitino fields in the path integral. The latter scenario is compatible with Planck satellite phenomenology but not with BICEP2 data.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Infinitely many inequivalent field theories from one Lagrangian

Logarithmic time-like Liouville quantum field theory has a generalized PT invariance, where T is the time-reversal operator and P stands for an S-duality reflection of the Liouville field $ϕ$. In Euclidean space the Lagrangian of such a theory, $L=\frac{1}{2}(\nablaϕ)^2-igϕ\exp(iaϕ)$, is analyzed using the techniques of PT-symmetric quantum theory. It is shown that L defines an infinite number of unitarily inequivalent sectors of the theory labeled by the integer n. In one-dimensional space (quantum mechanics) the energy spectrum is calculated in the semiclassical limit and the mth energy level in the nth sector is given by $E_{m,n}\sim(m+1/2)^2a^2/(16n^2)$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Quasi-relativistic fermions and dynamical flavour oscillations

We introduce new Lorentz-symmetry violating kinematics for a four-fermion interaction model, where dynamical mass generation is allowed, irrespectively of the strength of the coupling. In addition, these kinematics lead to a quasi-relativistic dispersion relation, in the sense that it is relativistic in both the infrared and the ultraviolet, but not in an intermediate regime, characterized by the mass $M$. For two fermions, we show that a flavour-mixing mass matrix is generated dynamically, and the Lorentz symmetric limit $M\to\infty$ leads to two free relativistic fermions, with flavour oscillations. This model, valid for either Dirac or Majorana fermions, can describe any set of phenomenological values for the eigen masses and the mixing angle.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

D-Flation

In a recent paper we showed how Starobinsky-like inflation could emerge from dilaton dynamics in brane cosmology scenarios based on string theory, in which our universe is represented as a three-brane and the effective potential acquires a constant term from a density of effectively point-like non-perturbative defects on the brane: "D-particles". Here we explore how quantum fluctuations of the ensemble of D-particles during the inflationary period may modify the effective inflationary potential due to the dilaton. We then discuss two specific ways in which an enhanced ratio of tensor to scalar perturbations may arise: via either a condensate of vector fields with a Born-Infeld action that may be due to such recoil fluctuations, or graviton production in the D-particle vacuum.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Starobinsky-Like Inflation in Dilaton-Brane Cosmology

We discuss how Starobinsky-like inflation may emerge from dilaton dynamics in brane cosmology scenarios based on string theory, in which our universe is represented as a three-brane. The effective potential may acquire a constant term from a density of effectively point-like non-pertubative defects on the brane. Higher-genus corrections generate corrections to the effective potential that are exponentially damped at large field values, as in the Starobinsky model, but at a faster rate, leading to a smaller prediction for the tensor-to scalar perturbation ratio r. This may be compensated partially by logarithmic deformations on the world-sheet due to recoil of the defects due to scattering by string matter on the brane, which tend to enhance the tensor-to-scalar ratio.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Pseudoscalar Fields in Torsionful Geometries of the Early Universe, the Baryon Asymmetry and Majorana Neutrino Mass Generation

We discuss here a specific field-theory model, inspired from string theory, in which the generation of a matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Cosmos is due to the propagation of fermions in a non-trivial, spherically asymmetric (and hence Lorentz violating) gravitational background that may characterise the epochs of the early universe. The background induces different dispersion relations, hence populations, between fermions and antifermions, and thus CPT Violation (CPTV) already in thermal equilibrium. Species populations may freeze out leading to leptogenesis and baryogenesis. More specifically, after reviewing some generic models of background-induced CPTV in early epochs of the Universe, we consider a string-inspired scenario, in which the CPTV is associated with a cosmological background with torsion provided by the Kalb-Ramond (KR) antisymemtric tensor field of the string gravitational multiplet. In a four-dimensional space time this field is dual to a pseudoscalar ``axion-like'' field. The thermalising processes in this model are (right-handed) Majorana neutrino-antineutrino oscillations, which are induced in the presence of the KR axion background. These processes freeze out at a (high) temperature $T_c >> m$, where $m$ is the Majorana neutrino mass, at which the KR background goes to zero or is diminished significantly, through appropriate phase transitions of the (string) universe. An additional, but equally important, rôle, of the KR field is that its quantum fluctuations and mixing with an ordinary axion, which couples to the Majorana neutrinos via appropriate Yukawa couplings, can also lead to the generation of a Majorana neutrino mass through quantum anomalies. This provides a novel way for generating neutrino masses, independent of the traditional seesaw mechanism.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Exploring Two-Field Inflation in the Wess-Zumino Model

We explore inflation via the effective potential of the minimal Wess-Zumino model, considering both the real and imaginary components of the complex field. Using transport techniques, we calculate the full allowed range of $n_s$, $r$ and $f_{\rm NL}$ for different choices of the single free parameter, $v$, and present the probability distribution of these signatures given a simple choice for the prior distribution of initial conditions. Our work provides a case study of multi-field inflation in a simple but realistic setting, with important lessons that are likely to apply more generally. For example, we find that there are initial conditions consistent with observations of $n_s$ and $r$ for values of $v$ that would be excluded if only evolutions in the real field direction were to be considered, and that these may yield enhanced values of $f_{\rm NL}$. Moreover, we find that initial conditions fixed at high energy density, where the potential is close to quartic in form, can still lead to evolutions in a concave region of the potential during the observable number of e-folds, as preferred by present data. The Wess-Zumino model therefore provides an illustration that multi-field dynamics must be taken into account when seeking to understand fully the phenomenology of such models of inflation.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Neutrinos in the Early Universe, Kalb-Ramond Torsion and Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry

The generation of a matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe may be induced by the propagation of fermions in non-trivial, spherically asymmetric (and hence Lorentz violating) gravitational backgrounds. Such backgrounds may characterise the epoch of the early universe. The key point in these models is that the background induces different dispersion relations, hence populations, between fermions and antifermions, and thus CPT Violation (CPTV) appears in thermal equilibrium. Species populations may freeze out leading to leptogenesis and baryogenesis. We consider here a string-inspired scenario, in which the CPTV is associated with a cosmological background with torsion provided by the Kalb-Ramond (KR) antisymemtric tensor field of the string gravitational multiplet. In a four-dimensional space time this field is dual to a pseudoscalar ``axion-like'' field. The mixing of the KR field with an ordinary axion field can lead to the generation of a Majorana neutrino mass.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Starobinsky-type Inflation in Dynamical Supergravity Breaking Scenarios

In the context of dynamical breaking of local supersymmetry (supergravity), including the Deser-Zumino super-Higgs effect, for the simple but quite representative cases of N=1, D=4 supergravity, we discuss the emergence of Starobinsky-type inflation, due to quantum corrections in the effective action arising from integrating out gravitino fields in their massive phase. This type of inflation may occur after a first-stage small-field inflation that characterises models near the origin of the one-loop effective potential, and it may occur at the non-trivial minima of the latter. Phenomenologically realistic scenarios, compatible with the Planck data, may be expected for the conformal supergravity variants of the basic model.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Environmental CPT Violation in an Expanding Universe in String Theory

We consider a model of an expanding Universe in string theory that yields `environmental' CPT violation for fermions, in the sense of different dispersion relations for fermions and antifermions. These are induced by a cosmological background with constant torsion provided by the Kalb-Ramond antisymmetric tensor field (axion) of the string gravitational multiplet. This effect induces different densities of neutrinos and antineutrinos while in chemical equilibrium, offering new scenarios for leptogenesis and baryogenesis even in the absence of CP violation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Theory Overview of Testing Fundamental Symmetries

I review first some theoretical motivations for violation of Lorentz and/or CPT Invariance. Although the latter symmetries may be violated in a quantum gravity setting, nevertheless there are situations in which these violations are due to a given classical background geometry that may characterised early epochs of our Universe, and in fact be responsible for the observed dominance of matter over antimatter in the Universe. In this way I estimate some of the coefficients of the Standard Model Extension (SME), which is a framework for a field theoretic study of such a breakdown of fundamental symmetries. Then I describe briefly some tests of these symmetries, giving emphasis in low-energy antiproton physics and electric dipole moment measurements, of interest to this conference. I also mention the rôle of entangled states of neutral mesons in providing independent measurements of T(ime reversal) and CP Violation, thus providing independent tests of CPT symmetry, as well as novel ("smoking-gun" type) tests of decoherence-induced CPT violation, which may characterise some models of quantum gravity.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Dynamical Supergravity Breaking via the Super-Higgs Effect Revisited

We investigate the dynamical breaking of local supersymmetry (supergravity), including the Deser-Zumino super-Higgs effect, via the corresponding one-loop effective potential for the simple but quite representative cases of N=1, D=4 simple supergravity and a (simplified) conformal version of it. We find solutions to the effective equations which indicate dynamical generation of a gravitino mass, thus breaking supergravity. In the case of conformal supergravity models, the gravitino mass can be much lower than the Planck scale, for global supersymmetry breaking scales below the Grand Unification scale. The absence of instabilities in the effective potential arising from the quantum fluctuations of the metric field is emphasised, contrary to previous claims in the literature.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Inflation induced by Gravitino Condensation in Supergravity

We discuss the emergence of an inflationary phase in supergravity with the super-Higgs effect due to dynamical spontaneous breaking of supersymmetry, in which the role of the inflaton is played by the gravitino condensate. Realistic models compatible with the Planck satellite CMB data are found in conformal supergravity scenarios with dynamical gravitino masses that are small compared to the Planck mass, as could be induced by a non-trivial vacuum expectation value of the dilaton superfield of appropriate magnitude.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Lorentz-Violating Regulator Gauge Fields as the Origin of Dynamical Flavour Oscillations

We show how a mass mixing matrix can be generated dynamically, for two massless fermion flavours coupled to a Lorentz invariance violating (LIV) gauge field. The LIV features play the role of a regulator for the gap equations, and the non-analytic dependence of the dynamical masses, as functions of the gauge coupling, allows to consider the limit where the LIV gauge field eventually decouples from the fermions. Lorentz invariance is then recovered, to describe the oscillation between two free fermion flavours, and we check that the finite dynamical masses are the only effects of the original LIV theory. We also discuss briefly a connection of our results with the case of Majorana neutrinos in both, the standard model, where only left-handed (active) neutrinos are considered, and extensions thereof, with sterile right-handed neutrinos.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Wess-Zumino Inflation in Light of Planck

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.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Asymptotic Analysis of the Boltzmann Equation for Dark Matter Relics in the presence of a Running Dilaton and Space-Time Defects

The interplay of dilatonic effects in dilaton cosmology and stochastic quantum space-time defects within the framework of string/brane cosmologies is examined. The Boltzmann equation describes the physics of thermal dark-matter-relic abundances in the presence of rolling dilatons. These dilatons affect the coupling of stringy matter to D-particle defects, which are generic in string theory. This coupling leads to an additional source term in the Boltzmann equation. The techniques of asymptotic matching and boundary-layer theory, which were recently applied by two of the authors (CMB and SS) to a Boltzmann equation, are used here to find the detailed asymptotic relic abundances for all ranges of the expectation value of the dilaton field. The phenomenological implications for the search of supersymmetric dark matter in current colliders, such as the LHC, are discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

On Gravitino properties in a Conformal Supergravity Model

In the context of a conformal Supergravity (SUGRA) model in the Einstein frame, in which the (next to) minimal supersymmetric standard model can embedded naturally to produce chaotic inflation scenarios, we study properties of gravitino in the cases where it is stable or unstable. In the latter case, we demonstrate that for large dilaton scale factors there is an enhanced magnitude of the gravitino width, when it decays to neutralino dark matter, as compared with the standard SUGRA case. In this context, we discuss the associated consequences as far as Big Bang Nucleosynthesis constraints and avoidance of gravitino overproduction are concerned.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Anomalous Majorana Neutrino Masses from Torsionful Quantum Gravity

The effect of quantum torsion in theories of quantum gravity is usually described by an axion-like field which couples to matter and to gravitation and radiation gauge fields. In perturbation theory, the couplings of this torsion-descent axion field are of derivative type and so preserve a shift symmetry. This shift symmetry may be broken, if the torsion-descent axion field mixes with other axions, which could be related to moduli fields in string-inspired effective theories. In particular, the shift symmetry may break explicitly via non-perturbative effects, when these axions couple to fermions via chirality changing Yukawa couplings with appropriately suppressed coefficients. We show, how in such theories an effective right-handed Majorana neutrino mass can be generated at two loops by gravitational interactions that involve global anomalies related to quantum torsion. We estimate the magnitude of the gravitationally induced Majorana mass and find that it is highly model dependent, ranging from multi-TeV to keV scale.

hep-ph↗