Inflation and non-minimal scalar-curvature coupling in gravity and supergravity

TL;DR

This paper explores the equivalence between inflationary models with non-minimal scalar-curvature coupling in gravity and supergravity, extending the correspondence to N=1 supergravity using curved superspace, highlighting implications for inflationary dynamics.

Contribution

It extends the known correspondence between non-minimal scalar-curvature coupled gravity and f(R) gravity to N=1 supergravity, using curved superspace techniques.

Findings

Establishes equivalence of inflationary potentials in different theories

Rewrites non-minimal supergravity coupling in minimal form

Highlights differences in post-inflationary dynamics

Abstract

Inflationary slow-roll dynamics in Einstein gravity with a non-minimal scalar-curvature coupling can be equivalent to that in the certain f(R) gravity theory. We review the correspondence and extend it to N=1 supergravity. The non-minimal coupling in supergravity is rewritten in terms of the standard (`minimal') N=1 matter-coupled supergravity by using curved superspace. The established equivalence between two different inflationary theories means the same inflaton scalar potential, and does not imply the same post-inflationary dynamics and reheating.