An Effective Theory for Higgs Inflation

TL;DR

This paper proposes a Higgs inflation model with quantum corrections that can produce primordial black holes consistent with CMB data, potentially explaining dark matter.

Contribution

It introduces two minimal EFT models where Higgs-driven inflation generates curvature perturbations capable of forming primordial black holes matching observational constraints.

Findings

Models produce curvature perturbations consistent with CMB observations

Primordial black holes formed in the asteroid mass range

Potential explanation for dark matter via primordial black holes

Abstract

The generation of large curvature perturbations associated with the production of primordial black holes is studied in the context of a Higgs inflaton. To enable this amplification, we consider an inflationary model in which the tree-level action for gravity and the Standard Model Higgs is modified by quantum corrections, described by a series of higher-dimension operators. Finally within a minimal EFT framework, we present two viable models in which the spectrum of curvature perturbations generated by the Higgs field is consistent with CMB observations and can lead to the formation of primordial black holes in the asteroid mass range, potentially accounting for the entirety of dark matter.