How much of the inflaton potential do we see?

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the observable part of the inflaton potential using recent constraints, emphasizing a conservative approach that avoids assumptions about unobservable inflation phases, leading to broader applicability.

Contribution

It introduces a method focusing solely on the observable inflaton potential, contrasting with prior extrapolation-based approaches, thus providing more conservative and model-independent constraints.

Findings

Significant differences from previous extrapolation methods

Broader applicability to various inflation models

No assumptions about invisible e-folds of inflation

Abstract

We discuss the latest constraints on a Taylor-expanded scalar inflaton potential, obtained focusing on its observable part only. This is in contrast with other works in which an extrapolation of the potential is applied using the slow-roll hierarchy. We find significant differences. The results discussed here apply to a broader range of models, since no assumption about the invisible e-folds of inflation has to be made, thereby remaining conservative.