Anisotropic Massive Gauge-flation

TL;DR

This paper explores anisotropic inflationary solutions in massive Gauge-flation, demonstrating the possibility of transitions between isotropic and anisotropic spacetime states driven by symmetry-breaking dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces new anisotropic inflationary solutions in massive Gauge-flation, analyzing both Stueckelberg and dynamical symmetry-breaking limits and their transition mechanisms.

Findings

Extended periods of anisotropic inflation are possible.

Transitions between isotropic and anisotropic spacetime states can occur rapidly or slowly.

Spacetime can develop or lose hair through symmetry-breaking processes.

Abstract

We study anisotropic inflationary solutions in massive Gauge-flation. We work with the theory in both the Stueckelberg and dynamical symmetry-breaking limits and demonstrate that extended periods of accelerated anisotropic expansion are possible. In the case of dynamical symmetry breaking, we show that spacetime can transition from isotropic quasi-de Sitter space to an accelerating Bianchi spacetime due to a rolling Higgs field - the spacetime can develop hair. Similarly, symmetry restoring transitions are possible from accelerating Bianchi spacetime to quasi-de Sitter space - the spacetime can lose its hair. These transitions can be arranged to occur quickly, within an $e$-folding or so, or over tens of $e$-folds.