arXiv subjects

Supratik Pal

Publications and source records attributed to Supratik Pal.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Generic 3-point Statistics with Tensor Modes in Light of Swampland and TCC

Recently proposed Swampland Criteria (SC) and Trans-Planckian Censorship Conjecture (TCC) together put stringent theoretical constraints on slow roll inflation, raising a question on future prospects of detection of Primordial Gravitational Waves (PGW). As it appears, the only option to relax the constraints is by considering Non Bunch Davies (NBD) initial states, that in turn brings back the observational relevance of PGW via its 2-point function. In this article we develop consistent 3-point statistics with tensor modes for all possible correlators (auto and mixed) for NBD initial states in the light of SC and TCC in a generic, model independent framework of Effective Field Theory of inflation. We also construct the templates of the corresponding nonlinearity parameters $f_{NL}$ for different shapes of relevance and investigate if any of the 3-point correlators could be of interest for future CMB missions. Our analysis reveals that the prospects of detecting the tensor auto correlator are almost nil whereas the mixed correlators might be relevant for future CMB missions.

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arXiv2020

A New Class of Non-canonical Conformal Attractors for Multifield Inflation

We propose a new broad class of multi-field non-canonical inflationary models as an extension of multi-field conformal cosmological attractors. This also generalizes the recently discovered class of non-canonical conformal attractors for single field inflation. Kinetic terms of this class of models are phenomenologically arising from ${\cal N}=1$ supergravity and from ${\cal N}=1$ superconformal theory, with two conformal scalar compensator fields in the latter. We show that the inflationary dynamics and predictions of this class of models are stable with respect to the significant modification of both radial and angular part of the potential, but it is very sensitive to its minuscule modification in the geometry of the field space metric. We also show that our framework can pass the latest observational constraints set by Planck 2018.

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arXiv2019

Estimating weak lensing convergence correlation of Type-Ia supernovae from 5-year SNLS data by internal error estimate technique

We report non-zero weak lensing convergence correlation signal of Type-Ia supernovae from 5-year Supernovae Legacy Survey data. For our analysis we utilize 296 supernovae magnification data from 5-year SNLS in the weak lensing limit. The data we use consists of measurements from four different patches, each covering 1 square degree of the sky, merged together. We demonstrate that it is possible to have a very good estimate of the two point correlation function from this data using internal error estimate technique. In order to have a good estimate of the corresponding covariance matrix we apply bootstrap spatial re-sampling technique where we reshuffle the original data consisting of 296 data points 100-10000 times and compare the results with that obtained from original data points. We show that this technique helps us arrive at a reliable conclusion on weak lensing convergence even though the original dataset comprises of a small number of data points. This also allows us to compute the corresponding covariance matrix with great accuracy.

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arXiv2019

Reconstruction of Convergence power spectrum from SNLS weak lensing data

We estimate the lensing convergence power spectrum from supernovae magnification data using real space correlation function technique. For our analysis we have utilized 296 supernovae from 5-year Supernovae Legacy Survey in the weak lensing limit. The data we used consists of measurements from four different patches, each of them covers almost 1 square degree of the sky, merged together. We demonstrate that it is quite possible to have a good estimate of the convergence power spectrum from this data. Our primary intention is to extract meaningful informations from SNLS weak lensing data and to demonstrate how the power spectrum for convergence can be reconstructed therefrom, without going into the nitty-gritty of errors, although we have done some error analysis in the process.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2019

Inflation, (P)reheating and Neutrino Anomalies: Production of Sterile Neutrinos with Secret Interactions

A number of experimental anomalies involving neutrinos hint towards the existence of at least an extra (a very light) sterile neutrino. However, such a species, appreciably mixing with the active neutrinos, is disfavored by different cosmological observations like Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and Large Scale Structure (LSS). Recently, it was shown that the presence of additional interactions in the sterile neutrino sector via light bosonic mediators can make the scenario cosmologically viable by suppressing the production of the sterile neutrinos from active neutrinos via matter-like effect caused by the mediator. This mechanism works assuming the initial population of this sterile sector to be negligible with respect to that of the Standard Model (SM) particles, before the production from active neutrinos. However, there is fair chance that such bosonic mediators may couple to the inflaton and can be copiously produced during (p)reheating epoch. Consequently, they may ruin this assumption of initial small density of the sterile sector. In this article we, starting from inflation, investigate the production of such a sterile sector during (p)reheating in a large field inflationary scenario and identify the parameter region that allows for a viable early Universe cosmology.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2019

Realising Mutated Hilltop Inflation in Supergravity

We present $\mathcal{N}=1$ supergravity models of mutated hilltop inflation (MHI) for both large and small field sectors. Models with canonical kinetic terms are developed based on a shift symmetric Kähler potential in inflaton superfield, and with a superpotential linear in Goldstino superfield. We also construct models with non-canonical kinetic terms for MHI by generalizing the shift symmetry. We found that a good fraction of the models can address the entire branch of MHI in a single framework.

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arXiv2019

Constraining Dark Energy Perturbations: the Role of Early Dark Energy

Dark Energy not only has background effects through its equation of state $w_{DE}$, but also it can cluster through its sound speed $c^2_{sDE}$, subject to certain conditions. As is well-known, for dynamical dark energy models, dark energy perturbations get sourced into matter perturbations through metric perturbations which is always accompanied by the term $(1+w_{DE})$. Hence, for dynamical dark energy models with $w_{DE}$ close $-1$, their perturbations get almost decoupled from metric leaving nearly null imprints on matter power spectra. Furthermore, Quintessence models with its sound speed equal to speed of light, washes out almost any inhomogeneities occurred within sub-Hubble scales, hence making detectability of dark energy perturbations far more difficult than already is. In this article we look for these imprints by going beyond Quintessence considering an Early Dark Energy parametrization that not only have a non-negligible energy density at early times, but also it can achieve $w_{DE}$ far from $-1$, making dark energy perturbations detectable in sub-horizon scales. With the help of current datasets, we are able to constrain sound speed of dark energy to a low value ($c^2_{sDE} \sim 0.14$), along with a much higher range allowed for early dark energy density, with strong constraints on it ($Ω_e \sim 0.02$). We discuss effects of different datasets on this parametrization along with possible explanation for deviation on certain parameter(s) comparing between $c^2_{sDE}=1$ case and the case where it is kept open.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2019

Are $H_0$ and $σ_8$ tensions generic to present cosmological data?

Yes, for a wide range of cosmological models ($Λ$CDM, non-interacting $w_z$CDM or models with possible interactions between dark energy and dark matter, in either phantom or non-phantom regimes). In the recent past there have been many attempts to solve the tension between direct measurements of $H_0$ and $σ_8 \sqrt{Ω_{0 {\rm m}}}$ from the respective low redshift observables and indirect measurements of these quantities from the cosmic microwave background (CMB). In this work we reconstruct a model independent approach that boils down to different classes of cosmological models under suitable parameters choices. We test this parameterization against the latest Planck CMB data combined with recent BAO, SNeIa datasets and the R16 direct $H_0$ measurements, and compare among different cosmological models. Our analysis reveals that a strong positive correlation between $H_0$ and $σ_8$ is more or less generic, irrespective of the choice of cosmological models. We also find that present data slightly prefers a phantom equation of state for dark energy and a slight negative value for effective equation of state for dark matter (which is a direct signature of interacting models) with a relatively high value for $H_0$ consistent with R16 and simultaneously, a consistent value for $Ω_{0 {\rm m}}$. Thus, even though the tensions cannot be fully resolved, interacting models with phantom equation of state get a slight edge over the others for currently available data. We also see that allowing interaction between dark energy and dark matter may resolve the tension between the high redshift CMB data and individual low redshift datasets, but the low redshift datasets have inconsistencies between them (e.g. between BAO and $H_0$, SNeIa and BAO, and cluster counts and $H_0$) that are practically independent of the cosmological model.

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arXiv2018

Non-Gaussian Features of Primordial Gravitational Waves

We explore possible non-Gaussian features of primordial gravitational waves by constructing model-independent templates for nonlinearity parameters of tensor bispectrum. Our analysis is based on Effective Field Theory of inflation that relies on no particular model as such and thus the results are quite generic. The analysis further reveals that chances of detecting squeezed limit tensor bispectrum are fairly higher than equilateral limit. We also discuss prospects of detectability in upcoming CMB missions.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2018

Exploring Inflationary Initial State With Large Scale Structure Observations

We investigate for possible constraints on inflationary initial state from Large Scale Structure (LSS) observations. Using a model-independent framework, we build the template for the generic initial state and construct the matter power spectrum through time evolution of the primordial power spectrum. We then make use of the LSS data separately from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey - Data Release 7 (SDSS-DR7) sample of Luminous Red Galaxies (LRG) and WiggleZ Dark Energy Survey, and explore the plausible constraints on initial vacuum by applying Bayesian parameter estimation method with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. Our analysis reveals that, along with the usual Bunch-Davies vacuum, non-Bunch-Davies initial states are also fairly allowed so far as present LSS data is concerned.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2017

A Proposal for Constraining Initial Vacuum by CMB

We propose a theoretical framework that can possibly constrain the initial vacuum by Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations. With a generic vacuum without any particular choice a priori, thereby keeping both the Bogolyubov coefficients in the analysis, we compute observable parameters from two- and three-point correlation functions. We are thus left with constraining four model parameters from the two complex Bogolyubov coefficients. We also demonstrate a method of finding out the constraint relations between the Bogolyubov coefficients using the theoretical normalization condition and observational data of power spectrum and bispectrum from CMB. Finally, we discuss the possible pros and cons of the analysis.

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arXiv2015

Priomordial non-Gaussian features from DBI Galileon inflation

We have studied primordial non-Gaussian features from a model of potential driven single field DBI Galileon inflation. We have computed the bispectrum from the three point correlation function considering all possible cross correlation between scalar and tensor modes from the proposed setup. Further, we have computed the trispectrum from four point correlation function considering the contribution from contact interaction, scalar and graviton exchange diagrams in the in-in picture. Finally we have obtained the non-Gaussian consistency conditions from the four point correlator, which results in partial violation of the Suyama-Yamaguchi four-point consistency relation. This further leads to the conclusion that sufficient primordial non-Gaussianities can be obtained from DBI Galileon inflation.

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arXiv2014

Post-Planck Dark Energy Constraints

We constrain plausible dark energy models, parametrized by multiple candidate equation of state, using the recently published Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) temperature anisotropy data from Planck together with the WMAP-9 low-$\ell$ polarization data and data from low redshift surveys. To circumvent the limitations of any particular equation of state towards describing all existing dark energy models, we work with three different equation of state covering a broader class of dark energy models and, hence, provide more robust and generic constraints on the dark energy properties. We show that a clear tension exists between dark energy constraints from CMB and non-CMB observations when one allows for dark energy models having both phantom and non-phantom behavior; while CMB is more favorable to phantom models, the low-z data prefers model with behavior close to a Cosmological Constant. Further, we reconstruct the equation of state of dark energy as a function of redshift using the results from combined CMB and non-CMB data and find that Cosmological Constant lies outside the 1$σ$ band for multiple dark energy models allowing phantom behavior. A considerable fine tuning is needed to keep models with strict non-phantom history inside 2$σ$ allowed range. This result might motivate one to construct phantom models of dark energy,which is achievable in the presence of higher derivative operators as in string theory. However, disallowing phantom behavior, based only on strong theoretical prior, leads to both CMB and non-CMB datasets agree on the nature of dark energy, with the mean equation of state being very close to the Cosmological Constant. Finally, to illustrate the impact of additional dark energy parameters on other cosmological parameters, we provide the cosmological parameter constraints for different dark energy models.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Towards reconstruction of unlensed, intrinsic CMB power spectra from lensed map

We propose a method to extract the unlensed, intrinsic CMB temperature and polarization power spectra from the observed (i.e., lensed) spectra. Using a matrix inversion technique, we demonstrate how one can reconstruct the intrinsic CMB power spectra directly from lensed data for both flat sky and full sky analyses. The delensed spectra obtained by the technique are calibrated against the Code for Anisotropies in the Microwave Background (CAMB) using WMAP 7-year best-fit data and applied to WMAP 9-year unbinned data as well. In principle, our methodology may help in subtracting out the E-mode lensing contribution in order to obtain the intrinsic B-mode power.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Higgs inflation from new Kähler potential

We introduce a new class of models of Higgs inflation using the superconformal approach to supergravity by modifying the K$\ddot{a}$hler geometry. Using such a mechanism, we construct a phenomenological functional form of a new K$\ddot{a}$hler potential. From this we construct various types of models which are characterized by a superconformal symmetry breaking parameter $χ$, and depending on the numerical values of $χ$ we classify all of the proposed models into three categories. Models with minimal coupling are identified by $χ=\pm\frac{2}{3}$ branch which are made up of shift symmetry preserving flat directions. We also propose various other models by introducing a non-minimal coupling of the inflaton field to gravity described by $χ\neq\frac{2}{3}$ branch. We employ all these proposed models to study the inflationary paradigm by estimating the major cosmological observables and confront them with recent observational data from WMAP9 along with other complementary data sets, as well as independently with PLANCK. We also mention an allowed range of non-minimal couplings and the {\it Yukawa} type of couplings appearing in the proposed models used for cosmological parameter estimation.

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arXiv2013

Generalizing thawing dark energy models: the standard vis-à-vis model independent diagnostics

We propose a two parameter generalization for the dark energy equation of state (EOS) $w_X$ for thawing dark energy models which includes PNGB, CPL and Algebraic thawing models as limiting cases and confront our model with the latest observational data namely SNe Ia, OHD, CMB, BOSS data. Our analysis reveals that the phantom type of thawing dark energy is favoured upto $2 σ$ confidence level. These results also show that thawing dark energy EOS is not unique from observational point of view. Though different thawing dark energy models are not distinguishable from each other from best-fit values (upto $2σ$ C.L.s) of matter density parameter ($Ω_m^0$) and hubble parameter ($H_0$) at present epoch, best-fit plots of linear growth of matter perturbation ($f$) and average deceleration parameter ($q_{\rm av}$); the difference indeed reflects in best-fit variations of thawing dark energy EOS, model-independent geometrical diagnostics like the statefinder pair $\{r,s\}$ and $Om3$ parameter. We are thus led to the conclusion that unlike the standard observables ($Ω_m^0$, $H_0$, $f$, $q_{\rm av}$), the model-independent parameters ($r,s,Om3$) and the variations of EOS (in terms of $w_X-w_X'$ plots) serve as model discriminators for thawing dark energy models.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Low & High scale MSSM inflation, gravitational waves and constraints from Planck

In this paper we will analyze generic predictions of an inflection-point model of inflation with Hubble-induced corrections and study them in light of the Planck data. Typically inflection-point models of inflation can be embedded within Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) where inflation can occur below the Planck scale. The flexibility of the potential allows us to match the observed amplitude of the TT-power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation with low and high multipoles, spectral tilt, and virtually mild running of the spectral tilt, which can put a bound on an upper limit on the tensor-to-scalar ratio, $r \leq 0.12$. Since the inflaton within MSSM carries the Standard Model charges, therefore it is the minimal model of inflation beyond the Standard Model which can reheat the universe with the right thermal degrees of freedom without any dark-radiation.

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arXiv2013

DBI Galileon inflation in background SUGRA

We introduce a model of potential driven DBI Galileon inflation in background N=1,D=4 SUGRA. Starting from D4-$\bar{D4}$ brane-antibrane in the bulk N=2,D=5 SUGRA including quadratic Gauss-Bonnet corrections, we derive an effective N=1,D=4 SUGRA by dimensional reduction, that results in a Coleman-Weinberg type Galileon potential. We employ this potential in modeling inflation and in subsequent study of primordial quantum fluctuations for scalar and tensor modes. Further, we estimate the major observable parameters in both de Sitter (DS) and beyond de Sitter (BDS) limits and confront them with recent observational data from WMAP7 by using the publicly available code CAMB.

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