Tensor Non-Gaussianity from Axion-Gauge-Fields Dynamics : Parameter Search

TL;DR

This paper calculates the tensor bispectrum generated by non-Abelian gauge fields during inflation, revealing a large, equilateral-shaped non-Gaussianity that can constrain inflationary parameters.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed calculation of the tensor bispectrum sourced by SU(2) gauge fields during inflation, highlighting its shape and amplitude dependence on model parameters.

Findings

Tensor bispectrum is approximately equilateral for certain parameters.

Non-Gaussianity ratio can exceed unity, unlike vacuum fluctuations.

Bispectrum constrains large gauge field mass regions, power spectrum constrains small ones.

Abstract

We calculate the bispectrum of scale-invariant tensor modes sourced by spectator SU(2) gauge fields during inflation in a model containing a scalar inflaton, a pseudoscalar axion and SU(2) gauge fields. A large bispectrum is generated in this model at tree-level as the gauge fields contain a tensor degree of freedom, and its production is dominated by self-coupling of the gauge fields. This is a unique feature of non-Abelian gauge theory. The shape of the tensor bispectrum is approximately an equilateral shape for $3\lesssim m_Q\lesssim 4$, where $m_Q$ is an effective dimensionless mass of the SU(2) field normalised by the Hubble expansion rate during inflation. The amplitude of non-Gaussianity of the tensor modes, characterised by the ratio $B_h/P^2_h$, is inversely proportional to the energy density fraction of the gauge field. This ratio can be much greater than unity, whereas the ratio from the vacuum fluctuation of the metric is of order unity. The bispectrum is effective at constraining large $m_Q$ regions of the parameter space, whereas the power spectrum constrains small $m_Q$ regions.