arXiv subjects

Taotao Qiu

Publications and source records attributed to Taotao Qiu.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Anisotropic Inflation with General Potentials

Anomalies in recent observational data indicate that there might be some "anisotropic hair" generated in an inflation period. To obtain general information about the effects of this anisotropic hair to inflation models, we studied anisotropic inflation models that involve one vector and one scalar using several types of potentials. We determined the general relationship between the degree of anisotropy and the fraction of the vector and scalar fields, and concluded that the anisotropies behave independently of the potentials. We also generalized our study to the case of multi-directional anisotropies.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

G-Bounce Inflation: Towards Nonsingular Inflation Cosmology with Galileon Field

We study a nonsingular bounce inflation model, which can drive the early universe from a contracting phase, bounce into an ordinary inflationary phase, followed by the reheating process. Besides the bounce that avoided the Big-Bang singularity which appears in the standard cosmological scenario, we make use of the Horndesky theory and design the kinetic and potential forms of the lagrangian, so that neither of the two big problems in bouncing cosmology, namely the ghost and the anisotropy problems, will appear. The cosmological perturbations can be generated either in the contracting phase or in the inflationary phase, where in the latter the power spectrum will be scale-invariant and fit the observational data, while in the former the perturbations will have nontrivial features that will be tested by the large scale structure experiments. We also fit our model to the CMB TT power spectrum.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Perturbations of Single-field Inflation in Modified Gravity Theory

In this paper, we study the case of single field inflation within the framework of modified gravity theory where the gravity part has an arbitrary form $f(R)$. Via a conformal transformation, this case can be transformed into its Einstein frame where it looks like a two-field inflation model. However, due to the existence of the isocurvature modes in such a multi-degree-of-freedom (m.d.o.f.) system, the (curvature) perturbations are not equivalent in two frames, so in despite of its convenience, it is illegal to treat the perturbations in its Einstein frame as the "real" ones as we always do for pure $f(R)$ theory or single field with nonminimal coupling. Here by pulling the results of curvature perturbations back into its original Jordan frame, we show explicitly the power spectrum and spectral index of the perturbations in the Jordan frame, as well as how it differs from the Einstein frame. We also fit our results with the newest Planck data. Since there are large parameter space in these models, we show that it is easy to fit the data very well.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Curvaton with Nonminimal Derivative Coupling to Gravity II: Full Perturbation Analysis

In our previous work \cite{Feng:2013pba}, we have shown a curvaton model where the curvaton has a nonminimal derivative coupling to gravity. Such a coupling could bring us scale-invariance of the perturbations for wide range constant values of the equation-of-state of the cosmic background at the early time. In this paper, we continue our study by fully analyzing its perturbations up to the third order. Apart from the usual 2-point correlation function that has already been calculated in \cite{Feng:2013pba}, we have also taken into account the 3-point correlation functions including pure scalar part, pure tensor part, as well as the cross-correlations between scalar and tensor perturbation modes. We find that for pure scalar part, the 3-point correlation functions can generate non-Gaussianities that fits the PLANCK data very well. For pure tensor and mixed parts, the shape functions have peaks at squeezed and equilateral limits respectively, responsible for sizable $f_{NL}^{sqz}$ and $f_{NL}^{eql}$, which could be tested by the future observatioanl data.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Single field inflation with modulated potential in light of the Planck and BICEP2

The recently released BICEP2 data detected the primordial B-mode polarization in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) map which strongly supports for a large tensor-to-scalar ratio, and thus, is found to be in tension with the Planck experiment with no evidence of primordial gravitational waves. Such an observational tension, if confirmed by forthcoming measurements, would bring a theoretical challenge for the very early universe models. To address this issue, we in the present paper revisit a single field inflation model, which includes a modulated potential. We show that this inflation model can give rise to a sizable negative running behavior for the spectral index of primordial curvature perturbation and a large tensor-to-scalar ratio. Applying these properties, our model can nicely explain the combined Planck and BICEP2 observations. To examine the validity of analytic calculations, we numerically confront the predicted temperature and B-mode power spectra with the latest CMB observations and explicitly show that our model is consistent with the current data.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Galileon Bouncing Inflation after BICEP2

We present a nonsingular scenario in which an inflation era goes after a bounce from a contracting scenario in the early universe. The contracting of the universe is supposed to be slow, such that the initial anisotropies will not grow too fast to become dominant and destroy the bounce. After the bounce, the universe enters into an inflationary region and reheating phase, where primordial perturbations are generated. The tensor-to-scalar ratio of the perturbations are expected to be consistent with the newly released data, $r=0.2^{+0.07}_{-0.05}$. The addition of the bounce process is aimed at getting rid of the annoying Big-Bang Singularity, which generally exist in pure inflation models.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Curvaton with nonminimal derivative coupling to gravity

We show a curvaton model, in which the curvaton has a nonminimal derivative coupling to gravity. Thanks to such a coupling, we find that the scale-invariance of the perturbations can be achieved for arbitrary values of the equation-of-state of background, provided that it is nearly a constant. We also discussed about tensor perturbations, the local non-Gaussianities generated by the nonminimal derivative coupling curvaton model, as well as the adiabatic perturbations which are transferred from the field perturbations during the curvaton decay.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Planck constraints on Higgs modulated reheating of renormalization group improved inflation

Within the framework of RG improved inflationary cosmology motivated by asymptotically safe gravity, we study the dynamics of a scalar field which can be interpreted as the Higgs field. The background trajectories of this model can provide sufficient inflationary e-folds and a graceful exit to a radiation dominated phase. We study the possibility of generating primordial curvature perturbations through the Standard Model Higgs boson. This can be achieved under finely tuned parameter choices by making use of the modulated reheating mechanism. The primordial non-gaussianity is expected to be sizable in this model. Though tightly constrained by the newly released Planck CMB data, this model provides a potentially interesting connection between collider and early universe physics.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Towards Anisotropy-Free and Non-Singular Bounce Cosmology with Scale-invariant Perturbations

We investigate non-singular bounce realizations in the framework of ghost-free generalized Galileon cosmology, which furthermore can be free of the anisotropy problem. Considering an Ekpyrotic-like potential we can obtain a total Equation-of-State (EoS) larger than one in the contracting phase, which is necessary for the evolution to be stable against small anisotropic fluctuations. Since such a large EoS forbids the Galileon field to generate the desired form of perturbations, we additionally introduce the curvaton field which can in general produce the observed nearly scale-invariant spectrum. In particular, we provide approximate analytical and exact semi-analytical expressions under which the bouncing scenario is consistent with observations. Finally, the combined Galileon-curvaton system is free of the Big-Rip after the bounce.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Reconstruction of f(R) models with Scale-invariant Power Spectrum

Following our previous work in [JCAP 1206, 041 (2012)], in this paper, we continue our study of reconstructing $f(R)$ modified gravity models that can be connected to a single scalar field in general relativity via conformal transformation, which lead to scale-invariant power spectrum in the early universe. With $f(R)$ modified gravity, one does not need to introduce extra scalar, the nature of which are to be explained. Different from general nonminimal coupling theory, the behavior of the $f(R)$ theory has been fixed by its counterpart in Einstein frame, and thus have one to one correspondence. Numerical plots of the functional form of $f(R)$ as well as the evolution of $R$ in terms of cosmic time $t$ are also presented.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Reconstruction of a Nonminimal Coupling Theory with Scale-invariant Power Spectrum

A nonminimal coupling single scalar field theory, when transformed from Jordan frame to Einstein frame, can act like a minimal coupling one. Making use of this property, we investigate how a nonminimal coupling theory with scale-invariant power spectrum could be reconstructed from its minimal coupling counterpart, which can be applied in the early universe. Thanks to the coupling to gravity, the equation of state of our universe for a scale-invariant power spectrum can be relaxed, and the relation between the parameters in the action can be obtained. This approach also provides a means to address the Big-Bang puzzles and anisotropy problem in the nonminimal coupling model within Jordan frame. Due to the equivalence between the two frames, one may be able to find models that are free of the horizon, flatness, singularity as well as anisotropy problems.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

On dark energy models of single scalar field

In this paper we revisit the dynamical dark energy model building based on single scalar field involving higher derivative terms. By imposing a degenerate condition on the higher derivatives in curved spacetime, one can select the models which are free from the ghost mode and the equation of state is able to cross the cosmological constant boundary smoothly, dynamically violate the null energy condition. Generally the Lagrangian of this type of dark energy models depends on the second derivatives linearly. It behaves like an imperfect fluid, thus its cosmological perturbation theory needs to be generalized. We also study such a model with explicit form of degenerate Lagrangian and show that its equation of state may cross -1 without any instability.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Entropic Force Scenarios and Eternal Inflation

We examine various entropic inflation scenarios, under the light of eternality. After describing the inflation realization and the normal condition for inflation to last at the background level, we investigate the conditions for eternal inflation with the effect of thermal fluctuations produced from standard radiation and from the holographic screen. Furthermore, we incorporate stochastic quantum fluctuations through a phenomenological, Langevin analysis, studying whether they can affect the inflation eternality. In single-holographic-screen scenarios eternality can be easily obtained, while in double-screen considerations inflation is eternal only in the high-energy regime. Thus, from the cosmological point of view, one should take these into account before he can consider entropic gravity as a candidate for the description of nature. However, form the string theory point of view, inflation eternality may form the background for the "Landscape" of string/M theory vacua, leading to new perspectives in entropy gravity.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

G-Curvaton

In this paper, we study a curvaton model where the curvaton is acted by Galileon field. We calculate the power spectrum of fluctuation of G-curvaton during inflation and discuss how it converts to the curvature perturbation after the end of inflation. We estimate the bispectrum of curvature perturbation induced, and show the dependence of non-Gaussianity on the parameters of model. It is found that our model can have sizable local and equilateral non-Gaussianities to up to ${\cal O}(10^2)$, which is illustrated by an explicit example.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Closed Timelike Curves in the Galileon Model

It has long been known that generic solutions to the nonlinear DGP and Galileon models admit superluminal propagation. In this note we present a solution of these models which also admits closed timelike curves (CTCs). We observe that these CTCs only arise when, according to each observer, there exists some region in which the higher derivative terms are larger than the 2-derivative kinetic term.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Bouncing Galileon Cosmologies

We present nonsingular, homogeneous and isotropic bouncing solutions of the conformal Galileon model. We show that such solutions necessarily begin with a radiation-dominated contracting phase. This is followed by a quintom scenario in which the background equation of state crosses the cosmological constant boundary allowing for a nonsingular bounce which in turn is followed by Galilean Genesis. We analyze the spectrum of cosmological perturbations in this background. Our results show that the fluctuations evolve smoothly and without any pathology, but the adiabatic modes form a blue tilted spectrum. In order to achieve a scale-invariant primordial power spectrum as required by current observations, we introduce a light scalar field coupling to the Galileon kinetically. We find two couplings which yield a scale-invariant spectrum, one of which requires a fine tuning of the initial conditions. This model also predicts a blue tilted spectrum of gravitational waves stemming from quantum vacuum fluctuations in the contracting phase.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Non-Gaussianities of Single Field Inflation with Non-minimal Coupling

We investigate the non-Gaussianities of inflation driven by a single scalar field coupling non-minimally to the Einstein Gravity. We assume that the form of the scalar field is very general with an arbitrary sound speed. For convenience to study, we take the subclass that the non-minimal coupling term is linear to the Ricci scalar $R$. We define a parameter $μ\equivε_h/ε_θ$ where $ε_h$ and $ε_θ$ are two kinds of slow-roll parameters, and obtain the dependence of the shape of the 3-point correlation function on $μ$. We also show the estimator $F_{NL}$ in the equilateral limit. Finally, based on numerical calculations, we present the non-Gaussianities of non-minimal coupling chaotic inflation as an explicit example.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Higgs Inflation in Horava-Lifshitz Gravity

We study the possibility of standard model Higgs boson acting as an inflaton field in the framework of Horava-Lifshitz Gravity. Under this framework, we showed that it is possible for the Higgs field to produce right amount of inflation and generate scale invariant power spectrum with the correct experimental value. Thanks to the foliation preserving diffeomorphism and anisotropic space-time scaling, it essentially helps us to construct this model without the pre-existing inconsistency coming from cosmological and particle physics constraints. We do not need to introduce any non-minimal or higher derivative coupling term in an arbitrary basis either.

hep-th↗