Primordial Black Holes from Inflaton Fragmentation into Oscillons

TL;DR

This paper proposes a mechanism where inflaton fragmentation into oscillons during inflation can produce primordial black holes across a range of masses, potentially explaining dark matter and contributing to gravitational wave sources.

Contribution

It introduces a novel process linking inflaton fragmentation into oscillons with the formation of primordial black holes of various masses, including sublunar and solar-mass scales.

Findings

Primordial black holes of sublunar mass can form from inflaton fragmentation.

The mechanism can produce solar-mass black holes relevant for gravitational wave detection.

Primordial black holes could account for all dark matter.

Abstract

We show that fragmentation of the inflaton into long-lived spatially localized oscillon configurations can lead to copious production of black holes. In a single-field inflation model primordial black holes of sublunar mass can form, and they can account for all of the dark matter. We also explore the possibility that solar-mass primordial black holes, particularly relevant for gravitational wave astronomy, are produced from the same mechanism.