Scale invariance of the primordial tensor power spectrum

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether deviations from scale invariance in the primordial curvature spectrum during inflation also affect the tensor spectrum, concluding that tensor modes remain scale invariant despite curvature spectrum features.

Contribution

It derives a model-independent relation linking features in curvature and tensor spectra, showing tensor spectrum invariance despite curvature deviations.

Findings

Tensor spectrum remains scale invariant even with curvature spectrum deviations.

Derived a general relation connecting features in curvature and tensor spectra.

Supports the robustness of tensor mode predictions in inflationary models.

Abstract

Future cosmic microwave background polarization experiments will search for evidence of primordial tensor modes at large angular scales, in the multipole range $4 \leq \ell \leq 50.$ Because in that range there is some mild evidence of departures from scale invariance in the power spectrum of primordial curvature perturbations, one may wonder about the possibility of similar deviations appearing in the primordial power spectrum of tensor modes. Here we address this issue and analyze the possible presence of features in the tensor spectrum resulting from the dynamics of primordial fluctuations during inflation. We derive a general, model independent, relation linking features in the spectra of curvature and tensor perturbations. We conclude that even with large deviations from scale invariance in the curvature power spectrum, the tensor spectrum remains scale invariant for all observational purposes.