# Unitary inflaton as decaying dark matter

## TL;DR

This paper explores a unitarity-preserving inflation model with a singlet scalar that acts as decaying dark matter, analyzing its cosmological implications and non-thermal production mechanisms consistent with observational constraints.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel inflation model with linear non-minimal coupling, linking inflation dynamics to dark matter decay and production mechanisms.

## Key findings

- Linear non-minimal coupling affects inflation and reheating dynamics.
- Decaying sigma field can produce dark matter consistent with relic density.
- Model remains valid up to the Planck scale with suppressed low-energy parameters.

## Abstract

We consider the inflation model of a singlet scalar field (sigma field) with both quadratic and linear non-minimal couplings where unitarity is ensured up to the Planck scale. We assume that a $Z_2$ symmetry for the sigma field is respected by the scalar potential in Jordan frame but it is broken explicitly by the linear non-minimal coupling due to quantum gravity. We discuss the impacts of the linear non-minimal coupling on various dynamics from inflation to low energy, such as a sizable tensor-to-scalar ratio, a novel reheating process with quartic potential dominance, and suppressed physical parameters in the low energy, etc. In particular, the linear non-minimal coupling leads to the linear couplings of the sigma field to the Standard Model through the trace of the energy-momentum tensor in Einstein frame. Thus, regarding the sigma field as a decaying dark matter, we consider the non-thermal production mechanisms for dark matter from the decays of Higgs and inflaton condensate and show the parameter space that is compatible with the correct relic density and cosmological constraints.