Inflation by non-minimal coupling

TL;DR

This paper explores inflation models with generalized non-minimal coupling, demonstrating that flat potentials can be maintained and that certain parameter regimes align well with observational data.

Contribution

It generalizes non-minimal coupling to an arbitrary function K(phi) and analyzes conditions under which inflationary potentials remain flat and observationally consistent.

Findings

Flat potentials are achievable with generalized K(phi) coupling.

Models with small self-coupling and non-minimal coupling match observational data.

General monomial cases show good agreement with cosmological observations.

Abstract

Inflationary scenarios based on simple non-minimal coupling and its generalizations are studied. Generalizing the form of non-minimal coupling to "K(phi)R" with an arbitrary function K(phi), we show that the flat potential still is obtainable when V(phi)/K^2(phi) is asymptotically constant. Very interestingly, if the ratio of the dimensionless self-coupling constant of the inflaton field and the non-minimal coupling constant is small the cosmological observables for general monomial cases are in good agreement with recent observational data.