A single field inflationary potential consistent with recent observations

TL;DR

This paper proposes an inverse exponential inflaton potential that aligns with recent observational data, extends it to include reheating dynamics, and predicts a maximum reheating temperature around 10^{13} GeV, offering a simple and viable inflationary model.

Contribution

It introduces a single-field inflation model based on an inverse exponential potential that fits current data and incorporates a reheating mechanism through an extended potential.

Findings

Fits current observational data within 1σ bounds

Develops a reheating scenario with maximum temperature ~10^{13} GeV

Provides a simple, observationally consistent inflationary potential

Abstract

Current observations indicate that an inverse exponential form of the inflaton potential provides an excellent description of single-field inflation. This potential fits the SPA$+$BK$+$DESI data sets well with in the $1\sigma$ bound in the $n_{\rm s}$-$r$ plane, thereby offering a simple and observationally viable single field inflationary scenario. To describe post-inflationary evolution and reheating, we extend the inverse exponential potential by adding a steep exponential term that remains negligible during inflation but becomes important afterwards. The resulting full potential develops a minimum after the end of inflation, leading to oscillations of the scalar field and consequently reheating of the Universe. We find that the maximum reheating temperature attainable in this scenario is of order $10^{13}\,\mathrm{GeV}$. The inverse exponential potential therefore emerges as a compelling candidate for early-Universe inflation, combining theoretical simplicity with robust observational viability.