Non-Gaussian signatures of multi-field inflation from string theory

• Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Jens Niemeyer
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Astrophysik und Astronomie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2012 bis 2016
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 210170592

Multi-field inflationary models are natural in string theory, yet their predictions are degenerate. If non-Gaussianities are observed in fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) by the Planck satellite, simple single-field models are ruled out. Lifting this degeneracy is thus a most pressing task. Multi-field scenarios often include additional effects during inflation, such as the decay of fields or particle production and the associated backreaction. These effects can lead to unique, non-Gaussian signatures in higher order correlation functions of fluctuations in the CMBR. We propose to use non-Gaussianities, especially the shape function of the bi- and trispectrum, to identify those models that are most likely responsible for inflation. We plan to use and improve upon a recently proposed mode decomposition retaining information of the full shape function and investigate the efficiency of the mode decomposition for constructing initial conditions for cosmological simulations.

• DFG-Verfahren: Sachbeihilfen
• Beteiligte Person: Dr. Thorsten J. Battefeld