On the viability of Locked Inflation

TL;DR

This paper critically reviews locked inflation, identifies viable parameter regions, proposes a natural extension to enlarge the parameter space, and estimates the negligible production of topological defects due to low inflationary scale.

Contribution

It provides a critical assessment of locked inflation, suggests a natural extension for broader viability, and estimates defect production as negligible at low inflation scales.

Findings

A natural window exists for the original locked inflation scenario.

A simple extension can enlarge the parameter space.

Topological defects are negligible due to low inflationary scale.

Abstract

We review locked inflation and we critically address phenomenological and consistency issues thathave appeared in the literature. A natural window of opportunity is found for the original scenario.Moreover, a simple way to enlarge the parameter space is proposed by considering an equivalentlynatural structure for the locking field. Finally, an estimate of the amount of topological defects atthe end of inflation is given; due to the low inflationary scale, it turns out to be negligible.