SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

Shuntaro Aoki

Publications and source records attributed to Shuntaro Aoki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Primordial Correlators from a Kaluza-Klein Graviton Continuum

Cosmological collider signals are usually discussed for isolated massive particles, whose exchange produces characteristic logarithmic oscillations in primordial correlators. In this work, we study how this signal is modified when the exchanged states form a continuous mass spectrum. We first develop a spectral representation for inflationary correlators mediated by a continuum field. In the soft limit, the non-analytic part of the seed function is expressed as a Fourier--Laplace transform of the spectral weight with respect to logarithmic momentum variables. This representation shows that a continuum superposes clock signals with different frequencies and can dephase the sharp oscillation associated with a single massive particle. We then realize this mechanism in an RS2-like inflationary braneworld, where the inflaton is localized on a de Sitter brane in a five-dimensional AdS bulk. The tensor sector contains a localized massless graviton and a continuum of Kaluza-Klein gravitons starting at \(m=3H/2\). We derive the KK wavefunctions and identify the brane spectral weight fixed by the continuum wavefunction on the brane. Applying this weight to the inflaton four-point function, we find a smooth seed function rather than a persistent logarithmic clock oscillation. This behavior follows from the fact that the continuum starts at zero clock frequency, while the KK spectral weight vanishes near threshold. Our results provide a concrete higher-dimensional example in which deviations from the standard cosmological collider signal encode the structure of a continuum high-energy spectrum.

hep-th

Fermionic Bubble Loop in Cosmological Collider Revisited: Exact signals from spectral and Mellin-Barnes methods

Fermionic degrees of freedom are essential ingredients in cosmological collider physics and are well motivated by many phenomenological models beyond the Standard Model, but their signals remain largely unexplored due to the difficulty of computing loop diagrams. In this work, we ask how fermionic bubble loops contribute to cosmological collider signals and provide an exact answer for arbitrary couplings. We develop two parallel analytical methods whose agreement provides a non-trivial check of the result. The first method is similar in spirit to spectral decomposition and is built directly from an identity for the product of propagators, which turns the bubble signal into an infinite sum of tree-level exchange signals. The second method is based on the Mellin-Barnes representation, where the result is reconstructed from the residues of distinct families of poles. We also show that the fermionic bubble can be generated from the scalar bubble by the action of appropriate differential operators. As a phenomenologically important application, we consider Yukawa interactions between fermions and the inflaton, finding that the resulting bispectrum signal vanishes identically. Through the spectral decomposition, this vanishing can be traced to a field redefinition of the associated tree-level counterparts.

hep-th

Cosmological collider signals of modular spontaneous CP breaking

We consider a modular-invariant extension of the Standard Model. Assuming that the modulus is the inflaton, the CP-violating phases of the Yukawa couplings evolve during inflation. This dynamics favours a Higgs condensate, so that Standard Model fermions mediate a one-loop cosmological collider signal enhanced by chemical potentials. The effect appears too small for next-generation experiments. We provide precise expressions for Dirac fermions with chemical potentials in de Sitter.

hep-ph

Universal Non-Gaussian Signatures from Transient Instabilities

We identify universal signatures in the bispectrum arising from a transient tachyonic instability of entropic fluctuations during inflation, a phenomenon that naturally arises in hyperbolic field-space geometries. We perform exact numerical calculations directly at the level of fluctuations, without relying on a specific background model, and distinguish two cases. In the light case, with masses around the Hubble scale, our results provide the first-ever computation of the bispectrum due to such tachyonic instabilities. We find a universal magnification of the folded configuration, together with the known non-analytic scaling in the squeezed limit. As an illustrative example, we compute and analyse the bispectrum in angular inflation, demonstrating compatibility with current limits. In the heavy case, with masses well above the Hubble scale, the bispectrum exhibits a distinctive correlation between magnified folded configurations and a `tachyonic resonance' in mildly squeezed limits, with the resonance scale set by the strength of the instability. While the main qualitative features are reproduced, we show that there exists no UV matching for which a single-field effective description, obtained by integrating out the entropic modes, accurately captures the bispectrum for all kinematic configurations. To facilitate observational applications, we introduce simple bispectrum shape templates suitable for current and forthcoming cosmological surveys. Our model-independent results allow for constraining non-standard inflationary attractors characterised by strongly non-geodesic motion.

astro-ph.CO

Testing the arrow of time at the cosmo collider

Normal particles carry a microscopic arrow of causality. Lee-Wick ghosts carry the reversed arrow, mediating characteristic collider signals in flat space: opposite-sign scattering amplitudes that violate positivity bounds; acausality on time scales set by their negative decay rate. During inflation, the corresponding cosmo-collider ghost signals are: opposite-sign non-Gaussianities; Boltzmann-unsuppressed local oscillatory signals without their non-local counterparts; IR-enhanced bi-spectrum and power spectrum, depending on the dimension of the interaction operator, which decreases if the ghost decay rate is comparable to the Hubble rate.

hep-ph

Heavy Field Effects on Inflationary Models in Light of ACT Data

Recent results from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), when combined with Planck and DESI datasets, indicate a scalar spectral index $n_s$ larger than that reported in the Planck 2018 baseline, thereby challenging conventional Starobinsky-type ($\alpha$-attractor) inflationary scenarios at the $2\sigma$ level. In addition, the positive running of the spectral index $\alpha_s$ implied by the data provides strong constraints on these models. In this paper, we explore the possibility that the presence of an additional heavy field during inflation, with a mass of order the Hubble scale and a sizable mixing coupling to the inflaton, can reconcile such inflationary models with the ACT results by increasing both $n_s$ and $\alpha_s$, particularly in the strong-mixing regime. Furthermore, we extend this framework to traditional inflation models such as chaotic inflation and natural inflation, which have already been excluded by Planck alone, and show that they can be revived in certain regions of parameter space. Inflationary observables, including the spectral index $n_s$, the tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$, and the running $\alpha_s$, are computed within the single-field EFT approach, which is applicable even in the presence of a heavy field with large mixing. We also discuss the non-Gaussianity signatures arising from the heavy field, noting that parts of the parameter space are already excluded or can be tested in future observations. Finally, we present concrete model realizations that allow for such a large mixing.

hep-ph

Higgs-Modular Inflation

We investigate the role of the Higgs field as a fundamental scalar in the Standard Model within the framework of modular inflation models, where a modulus field acts as the inflaton and its interactions are governed by an underlying modular symmetry. In general, the Higgs field can participate in the dynamics of modular inflation, leading to a two-field inflationary system-termed \emph{Higgs-Modular inflation}-which exhibits non-trivial dynamics and interesting phenomenological implications. We analyze Higgs-Modular inflation both analytically and numerically, highlighting its attractor behavior and the resulting observational constraints. In particular, we find that Higgs-Modular inflation is favored by the latest data release from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) in certain regions of parameter space. This is in contrast to both pure Higgs inflation and pure modular inflation with a Starobinsky-type potential, which tend to predict a relatively low spectral index. Additionally, we discuss the cutoff scale of this inflationary model and the reheating processes induced by the decays of the modulus and the Higgs field.

hep-ph

Inflationary constraints on the moduli-dependent species scale in modular invariant theories

We demonstrate that a broad class of modular inflation models predicts the emergence of new physics within an energy range of approximately \( 10^{15} \, \mathrm{GeV} \) to \( 10^{17} \, \mathrm{GeV} \). This prediction arises by comparing the moduli-dependent species scale with observational constraints on inflation. Specifically, we illustrate this within the context of \( SL(2, \mathbb{Z}) \)-modular inflation models by re-expressing inflationary observables in terms of the species scale. We further discuss the implications of this approach for generic Calabi-Yau threefolds.

hep-th

Cosmological collider non-Gaussianity from multiple scalars and $R^2$ gravity

Cosmological collider signals of primordial non-Gaussianity arise at tree level when an extra scalar has Hubble mass during inflation. We critically review the formalism finding that a large class of inflationary theories, based on Planck-scale physics, predict a scalar bi-spectrum around the gravitational floor level. This mild signal arises for example in $R^2$ gravity, in the regime where its gravitational scalar has Hubble-scale mass. Signals much above the gravitational floor arise in theories where scalars undergo multiple turns during inflation, thanks to sub-Planckian physics.

astro-ph.CO

Cosmological Correlators with Double Massive Exchanges: Bootstrap Equation and Phenomenology

Using the recently developed cosmological bootstrap method, we compute the exact analytical solution for the seed integral appearing in cosmological correlators with double massive scalar exchanges. The result is explicit, valid in any kinematic configuration, and free from spurious divergences. It is applicable to any number of fields' species with any masses. With an appropriate choice of variables, the results contain only single-layer summations. We also propose simple approximate formulas valid in different limits, enabling direct and instantaneous evaluation.Supported by exact numerical results using CosmoFlow, we explore the phenomenology of double massive exchange diagrams. Contrary to single-exchange diagrams with ubiquitous Lorentz-covariant interactions, the size of the cubic coupling constant can be large while respecting perturbativity bounds. Because of this property, the primordial bispectrum from double-exchange diagrams can be as large as, coincidentally, current observational constraints. In addition to being sizable on equilateral configurations, we show that the primordial bispectrum exhibits a large cosmological collider signal in the squeezed limit, making the double massive exchanges interesting channels for the detection of massive primordial fields. We propose to decisively disentangle double-exchange channels from single-exchange ones with cosmological observations by exploiting the phase information of the cosmological collider signal, the inflationary flavor oscillations from multiple fields' species exchanges and the double soft limit in the primordial trispectrum.

hep-th

Analytic Formulae for Inflationary Correlators with Dynamical Mass

Massive fields can imprint unique oscillatory features on primordial correlation functions or inflationary correlators, which is dubbed the cosmological collider signal. In this work, we analytically investigate the effects of a time-dependent mass of a scalar field on inflationary correlators, extending previous numerical studies and implementing techniques developed in the cosmological bootstrap program. The time-dependent mass is in general induced by couplings to the slow-roll inflaton background, with particularly significant effects in the case of non-derivative couplings. By linearly approximating the time dependence, the mode function of the massive scalar is computed analytically, on which we derive analytic formulae for two-, three-, and four-point correlators with the tree-level exchange of the massive scalar. The obtained formulae are utilized to discuss the phenomenological impacts on the power spectrum and bispectrum, and it is found that the scaling behavior of the bispectrum in the squeezed configuration, i.e., the cosmological collider signal, is modified from a time-dependent Boltzmann suppression. By investigating the scaling behavior in detail, we are in principle able to determine the non-derivative couplings between the inflaton and the massive particle.

hep-th

On the Weyl gravity extension of Higgs inflation

We consider the embedding of Higgs inflation with a non-minimal coupling into the Weyl gravity. In this model, the effective current-current interactions from the heavy Weyl gauge field cancel the non-canonical Higgs kinetic term in Einstein frame, so the unitarity problem of the original Higgs inflation becomes less severe. For a simple case where the couplings of the heavy Weyl gauge field appears from the non-minimal couplings to the Ricci curvature scalar in Weyl gravity, we find that the resultant model for Higgs inflation is the same as in the Palatini formulation for Higgs inflation. The crucial difference of our model from the Palatini formulation for Higgs inflation is that there is a light Weyl gauge field coupled to the Higgs fields. We also generalize the unitarization of Higgs inflation with general covariant kinetic terms for the dilaton and the Higgs fields, and realize a successful Higgs inflation, interpolating between the Palatini formulation for Higgs inflation and a Higgs-like inflation. We also discuss the Higgs mechanism for the light Weyl gauge field with an extra singlet scalar and show some interesting signatures for Higgs physics, such as the overall suppression of Higgs couplings and the direct couplings of the light Weyl gauge field to the Higgs boson.

hep-ph

Continuous Spectrum on Cosmological Collider

We study the effects of a massive field with a continuous spectrum (continuum isocurvaton) on the inflationary bispectrum in the squeezed limit. As a concrete example, we extend the quasi-single field inflation model to include a continuum isocurvaton with a well-motivated spectral density from extra dimensions and focus on a contribution to the bispectrum with a single continuum isocurvaton exchange. In contrast to the usual case without the continuous spectrum, the amplitude of the bispectrum has a damping feature in the deep squeezed limit, which can be strong evidence for the continuous spectrum.

hep-th

Pole inflation and primordial black holes formation in Starobinsky-like supergravity

We extend the Cecotti-Kallosh model of Starobinsky inflation in supergravity by adding a holomorphic function to the superpotential in order to generate a large peak in the power spectrum of scalar (curvature) perturbations. In our approach, the singular non-canonical kinetic terms are largely responsible for inflation (as an attractor solution), whereas the superpotential is engineered to generate a production of primordial black holes. We study the cases with (i) a linear holomorphic function, (ii) a quadratic holomorphic function, and (iii) an exponential holomorphic function, as regards the dependence of inflation and primordial black holes production upon parameters of those functions and initial conditions, as well as verify viability of inflation with our superpotentials. We find that an efficient production of primordial black holes consistent with CMB measurements is only possible in the second (ii) case. We calculate the masses of the produced primordial black holes and find that they are below the Hawking (black hole) evaporation limit, so that they cannot be part of the current dark matter in our Universe.

hep-th

Inflationary flavor oscillations and the cosmic spectroscopy

Inflationary scenarios motivated by high-energy physics generically contain a plethora of degrees of freedom beyond the primordial curvature perturbation. The latter interacts in a simple way with what we name "inflationary flavor eigenstates", which differ, in general, from freely propagating "mass eigenstates". We show that the mixing between these misaligned states results in new striking behaviors in the squeezed limit of the curvature perturbation three-point function, depending not only on the mass spectrum but also on the "mixing angles" of the theory. These results bring about a new perspective on the cosmological collider program: contrary to a widespread belief, the primordial signal needs not be dominated by the lightest extra degree of freedom. Instead, we show that it may display either modulated oscillations, a broken power law, or a transition from oscillations to a power law, thus offering a detailed cosmic spectroscopy of the particle content of inflation.

hep-th

Reheating and Dark Matter Freeze-in in the Higgs-$R^2$ Inflation Model

We study the post-inflationary dynamics for reheating and freeze-in dark matter in the Higgs-$R^2$ inflation model. Taking the perturbative approach for reheating, we determine the evolution of the temperature for radiation bath produced during reheating and determine the maximum and reheating temperatures of the Universe. Adopting a singlet scalar dark matter with a conformal non-minimal coupling and a vanishing Higgs-portal coupling, we discuss the freeze-in production of dark matter both from the non-thermal scattering during reheating and the thermal scattering after reheating. We find that thermal scattering is dominant for dark matter production in our model due to the high reheating temperature. The reheating temperature in our model is determined dominantly by the Higgs condensate to be up to about $10^{14}\,{\rm GeV}$ and dark matter with masses up to about $10^9\,{\rm GeV}$ can be produced with a correct relic density.

hep-ph

Constrained Superfields in Dynamical Background

We study the nonlinear realization of supersymmetry in a dynamical/cosmological background in which derivative terms like kinetic terms are finite. Starting from linearly realized theories, we integrate out heavy modes without neglecting derivative terms to obtain algebraic constraints on superfields. Thanks to the supersymmetry breaking contribution by the kinetic energy, the validity of constrained superfields can be extended to cosmological regimes and phenomena such as reheating after inflation, kinetic-energy domination, and the kinetic and standard misalignment of axion.

hep-th

Inflation and Supersymmetry Breaking in Higgs-$R^2$ Supergravity

We propose a new construction of the supergravity inflation as an UV completion of the Higgs-$R^2$ inflation. In the dual description of $R^2$-supergravity, we show that there appear dual chiral superfields containing the scalaron or sigma field in the Starobinsky inflation, which unitarizes the supersymmetric Higgs inflation with a large non-minimal coupling up to the Planck scale. We find that a successful slow-roll inflation is achievable in the Higgs-sigma field space, but under the condition that higher curvature terms are introduced to cure the tachyonic mass problems for spectator singlet scalar fields. We also discuss supersymmetry breaking and its transmission to the visible sector as a result of the couplings of the dual chiral superfields and the non-minimal gravity coupling of the Higgs fields.

hep-th