Chiral Anomaly in SU(2)${}_R$-Axion Inflation and the New Prediction for Particle Cosmology

TL;DR

This paper explores a left-right symmetric axion inflation model that links baryogenesis, dark matter, and gravitational wave signatures, with specific predictions for future observational tests.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of SU(2)_R-axion inflation, revealing a novel mechanism for matter creation and specific gravitational wave predictions.

Findings

Left-right symmetry breaking scale above 10^10 GeV

Conservation of B-L in the Standard Model sector

Predicted non-Gaussian, blue-tilted gravitational wave background

Abstract

Upon embedding the axion-inflation in the minimal left-right symmetric gauge extension of the SM with gauge group $SU(2)_L\times SU(2)_R \times U(1)_{B-L}$, [arXiv:2012.11516] proposed a new particle physics model for inflation. In this work, we present a more detailed analysis. As a compelling consequence, this setup provides a new mechanism for simultaneous baryogenesis and right-handed neutrino creation by the chiral anomaly of $W_R$ in inflation. The lightest right-handed neutrino is the dark matter candidate. This setup has two unknown fundamental scales, i.e., the scale of inflation and left-right symmetry breaking $SU(2)_R\times U(1)_{B-L}\rightarrow U(1)_{Y}$. Sufficient matter creation demands the left-right symmetry breaking scale happens shortly after the end of inflation. Interestingly, it prefers left-right symmetry breaking scales above $10^{10}~GeV$, which is in the range suggested by the non-supersymmetric SO(10) Grand Unified Theory with an intermediate left-right symmetry scale. Although $W_R$ gauge field generates equal amounts of right-handed baryons and leptons in inflation, i.e. $B-L=0$, in the Standard Model sub-sector $B-L_{SM}\neq 0$. A key aspect of this setup is that $SU(2)_R$ sphalerons are never in equilibrium, and the primordial $B-L_{SM}$ is conserved by the Standard Model interactions. This setup yields a deep connection between CP violation in physics of inflation and matter creation (visible and dark); hence it can naturally explain the observed coincidences among cosmological parameters, i.e., $\eta_{B}\simeq 0.3 P_{\zeta}$ and $\Omega_{DM}\simeq 5\Omega_{B}$. The $SU(2)_R$-axion inflation comes with a cosmological smoking gun; chiral, non-Gaussian, and blue-tilted gravitational wave background, which can be probed by future CMB missions and laser interferometer detectors.