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This theoretical study proposes a new inflationary model using a complex inflaton field with a non-Hermitian potential that remains consistent with current cosmic microwave background observations from Planck 2018 and BICEP/Keck. The model predicts that non-Hermitian effects become significant near the end of inflation, producing a distinctive suppression in high-frequency gravitational waves above 100 Hz while leaving standard observables largely unchanged. This suppression arises from non-unitary evolution and could be detectable by future gravitational wave observatories like the Einstein Telescope and Big Bang Observer.
Why it matters
The research provides a testable prediction that could distinguish this inflationary scenario from standard models through future gravitational wave observations. If confirmed, it would provide evidence for non-Hermitian physics in the early universe and offer new insights into the reheating mechanism that transitioned the universe from inflation to the hot Big Bang phase.
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⚠️ Preprint – Noch nicht peer-reviewed
Dieser Artikel wurde noch nicht von unabhängigen Experten begutachtet. Die Ergebnisse sind vorläufig und sollten mit Vorsicht interpretiert werden.
Abstract: In this work, we develop a perturbative framework for inflation driven by a complex inflaton with non-minimal gravitational coupling and a non-Hermitian potential. During the observable cosmic microwave background radiation era, the dynamics reduce to an effectively conservative two-field model, preserving the predictions of the $alpha$-attractor class and satisfying Planck 2018 and BICEP/Keck constraints on $n_s$, $r$, and $f_{mathrm{NL}}$. Near the end of inflation, trajectory bending activates the non-Hermitian sector, triggering geometric reheating. The resulting non-unitary evolution modifies the curvature spectrum and stochastic gravitational-wave background through a calculable damping factor determined by the complex mass eigenvalues. While cosmic microwave background-scale observables remain essentially unchanged, a distinctive suppression emerges in the high-frequency gravitational-wave spectrum ($f > 10^2$ Hz), potentially testable by future detectors such as the Einstein Telescope and the Big Bang Observer.
Source: Dissipative Multi-Field Dynamics from Non-Hermitian Inflationary Potentials