Identifying the curvaton within MSSM

TL;DR

This paper investigates the possibility of the ${f u_1dd}$ flat direction in the MSSM acting as a curvaton, emphasizing the role of supersymmetry breaking $A$-terms and thermal effects in its viability.

Contribution

It identifies the ${f u_1dd}$ flat direction as a viable MSSM curvaton candidate by analyzing inflaton couplings, thermalization, and the impact of supersymmetry breaking.

Findings

The ${f u_1dd}$ flat direction can serve as a successful curvaton.

Supersymmetry breaking $A$-terms are essential for curvaton viability.

Early thermalization facilitates the necessary energy density dominance.

Abstract

We consider inflaton couplings to MSSM flat directions and the thermalization of the inflaton decay products, taking into account gauge symmetry breaking due to flat direction condensates. We then search for a suitable curvaton candidate among the flat directions, requiring an early thermally induced start for the flat direction oscillations to facilitate the necessary curvaton energy density dominance. We demonstrate that the supersymmetry breaking $A$-term is crucial for achieving a successful curvaton scenario. Among the many possible candidates, we identify the ${\bf u_1dd}$ flat direction as a viable MSSM curvaton.