Massive scalar states localized on a de Sitter brane

TL;DR

This paper investigates massive scalar states localized on a de Sitter brane in a five-dimensional bulk, analyzing their properties, effective masses, and tunneling probabilities, and introduces a four-dimensional effective potential approach.

Contribution

It presents a novel analysis of localized scalar modes on a de Sitter brane, including their effective mass dependence and a new four-dimensional effective potential framework.

Findings

Localized scalar modes have masses depending on bulk scalar mass, Hubble parameter, and coupling.

Introduction of a four-dimensional effective potential for scalar projection.

Identification of quasi-localized states with tunneling probabilities.

Abstract

We consider a brane scenario with a massive scalar field in the five-dimensional bulk. We study the scalar states that are localized on the brane, which is assumed to be de Sitter. These localized scalar modes are massive in general, their effective four-dimensional mass depending on the mass of the five-dimensional scalar field, on the Hubble parameter in the brane and on the coupling between the brane tension and the bulk scalar field. We then introduce a purely four-dimensional approach based on an effective potential for the projection of the scalar field in the brane, and discuss its regime of validity. Finally, we explore the quasi-localized scalar states, which have a non-zero width that quantifies their probability of tunneling from the brane into the bulk.