Reconstructing inflationary potential from BICEP2 and running of tensor modes

TL;DR

This paper reconstructs the inflationary potential from observational data, deriving new consistency relations for sub-Planckian inflation, and predicts tensor mode spectra parameters in a model-independent manner.

Contribution

It introduces new consistency relationships for sub-Planckian inflation and reconstructs the potential using observational constraints, differentiating it from super-Planckian models.

Findings

Bound on potential energy density: $2.07\times10^{16}$ GeV to $2.40\times10^{16}$ GeV

Field excursion constrained to $0.066$ to $0.092$ times Planck mass

Predicted tensor spectral tilt: $-0.019$ to $-0.033$

Abstract

In this paper we will analyse the constraints on a sub-Planckian excursion of a single inflaton field, which would yield a large tensor to scalar ratio, while explaining the temperature anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. In particular, our attempt will be to reconstruct the inflationary potential by constraining, $V(\phi_0), V^{\prime}(\phi_0), V^{\prime\prime}(\phi_0), V^{\prime\prime\prime}(\phi_0)$ and $V^{\prime\prime\prime\prime}(\phi_0)$, in the vicinity of the field, $\phi_0\ll M_p$, and the field displacement, $\Delta \phi \ll M_p$, where $M_p$ is the reduced Planck mass. We will provide, for the first time, a set of new {\it consistency} relationships for sub-Planckian excursion of the inflaton field, which would help us to differentiate sub-versus-super Planckian models of inflation. For a generic single field inflationary potential, we will be able to put a stringent bound on the potential energy density: $2.07\times10^{16} {\rm GeV}\leq\sqrt[4]{V_{\star}}\leq 2.40\times 10^{16} {\rm GeV}$, where inflation can occur on the flat potential within, $0.066 \leq\frac{\left |\Delta\phi\right|}{M_p}\,\leq 0.092$, for the following observational constraints: (Planck+WMAP-9+high L+BICEP2). We then provide a prediction for the spectral tilt ($n_{T}$), running ($\alpha_{T}$) and running of running ($\kappa_{T}$) of the tensor modes within the window, $-0.019<n_{T}<-0.033$, $-2.97\times 10^{-4}<\alpha_{T}(=dn_{T}/d\ln k)<2.86\times 10^{-5}$,and $-0.11\times 10^{-4}<\kappa_{T}(=d^{2}n_{T}/d\ln k^{2})<-3.58\times 10^{-4}$, in a model independent way. We also provide a simple example of an {\it inflection-point} model of inflation and reconstruct the potential in a model independent way to match the current observations.