The Affleck-Dine Curvaton

TL;DR

This paper shows that a single complex scalar field can simultaneously generate the universe's baryon asymmetry and primordial curvature perturbations, potentially producing observable non-Gaussianity in future CMB measurements.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the minimal Affleck-Dine field can serve as both the baryogenesis source and curvaton, unifying two mechanisms without modifications.

Findings

The complex field can generate baryon asymmetry and curvature perturbations simultaneously.

The scenario allows for detectable levels of primordial non-Gaussianity.

It requires no modifications to the minimal Affleck-Dine model.

Abstract

The Standard Model of particle physics does not explain the origin of the universe's baryon asymmetry or its primordial fluctuations. The Affleck-Dine mechanism is a well-motivated scenario for generating the baryon asymmetry through the post-inflationary dynamics of a complex scalar field with baryon number. The curvaton mechanism is a popular approach for producing curvature perturbations through the dynamics of a light spectator field which decays after inflation. We demonstrate that the same complex field can viably perform both roles without any modifications to the minimal realization of Affleck-Dine baryogenesis. This scenario can also accommodate appreciable levels of primordial non-Gaussianity, beyond those achievable with only a real-valued curvaton field, and may be observable with future CMB experiments.