R-symmetric Axion/Natural Inflation in Supergravity via Deformed Moduli Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper presents a supergravity-based natural inflation model where the inflaton is a shift-symmetric modulus, with a potential generated by meson condensation, avoiding R-symmetry breaking and gravitino mass dependence.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel inflation model using deformed moduli dynamics that maintains R-symmetry and is compatible with low-scale supersymmetry.

Findings

Inflaton potential is generated without R-symmetry breaking.

Model is compatible with low-scale supersymmetry.

Potential arises from meson condensation in strong dynamics.

Abstract

We construct a natural inflation model in supergravity where the inflaton is identified with a modulus field possessing a shift symmetry. The superpotential for the inflaton is generated by meson condensation due to strong dynamics with deformed moduli constraints. In contrast to models based on gaugino condensation, the inflaton potential is generated without $R$-symmetry breaking and hence does not depend on the gravitino mass. Thus, our model is compatible with low scale supersymmetry.