Multifield Polygonal Bounces

TL;DR

This paper introduces a semi-analytical method for calculating tunneling rates in multi-scalar field theories using exact solutions of piecewise linear potentials, enabling precise and efficient analysis of complex potentials.

Contribution

It develops a new approach based on analytical solutions for piecewise linear potentials, extending from single to multiple scalar fields with higher-order corrections.

Findings

Provides a fast semi-analytical tool for bounce action evaluation.

Demonstrates method on classical potentials and quantum fluctuations.

Extends approach to multi-scalar field theories.

Abstract

We propose a new approach for computing tunneling rates in quantum or thermal field theory with multiple scalar fields. It is based on exact analytical solutions of piecewise linear potentials with many segments that describes any given potential to arbitrary precision. The method is first developed for the single field case in 3 and 4 space-time dimensions and demonstrated on examples of classical potentials as well as the calculation of quantum fluctuations. A systematic expansion of the potential beyond the linear order is considered, taking into account higher order corrections, which paves the way for multiple scalar fields. We thereby provide a fast semi-analytical tool for evaluating the bounce action for theories with an extended scalar sector.