Single-Field Inflation After WMAP5

TL;DR

This paper evaluates single-field inflation models against WMAP5 data, revealing strong constraints on certain models and parameters, especially in modular, new, and DBI braneworld scenarios, with some models excluded at 2 sigma confidence.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive analysis of various single-field inflation models, including UV DBI braneworld scenarios, in light of WMAP5 data, highlighting new observational constraints.

Findings

Modular/new inflation models with small powers are more constrained.

Cubic power models lie outside 2 sigma for fewer than 60 e-folds.

Intermediate inflation models do not fit within 1 sigma region.

Abstract

Single-field models of inflation are analysed in light of the WMAP five-year data. Assuming instantaneous reheating, we find that modular/new inflation models with small powers in the effective inflaton self-interaction are more strongly constrained than previously. The model with a cubic power lies outside the 2 sigma regime when the number of e-folds is less than 60. We also find that the predictions for the intermediate model of inflation do not overlap the 1 sigma region regardless of the power of the monomial potential. We analyse a number of ultra-violet, DBI braneworld scenarios involving both wrapped and multiple-brane configurations, where the inflaton kinetic energy is close to the maximum allowed by the warped geometry. In all cases, we find that the parameters of the warped throat are strongly constrained by observations.