Seminars & Colloquia

Inflation on Steep Potentials

Mohamed Anber, UMass Physics

Inflation provides a compelling mechanism to solve many puzzles. As a unified theory of fields, string theory is a rich place to search for a perfect candidate for inflation. Axion-like particles are abundant in string theory and at the same time they have a radiatively stable potential, a crucial property for any successful model of inflation. In this chalk talk, I will show that we can actually realize inflation using the string theory axion if we take into account the backreaction of the electromagnetic radiation generated due to the rolling of the axion down its potential. I will also comment on the cosmological perturbations produced by this model.