Physics Maths Engineering
On gravitational preheating
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Oleg Lebedev,
Oleg Lebedev
Department of Physics and Helsinki Institute of Physics, Gustaf Hallstromin katu 2a, FI-00014
Jong-Hyun Yoon
Jong-Hyun Yoon
Department of Physics and Helsinki Institute of Physics, Gustaf Hallstromin katu 2a, FI-00014
Related Subjects
Abstract
We consider dark matter production during the inflation oscillation epoch. It is conceivable that renormalizable interactions between dark matter and inflation may be negligible. In this case, the leading role is played by higher dimensional operators generated by gravity and thus suppressed by the Planck scale. We focus on dim-6 operators and study the corresponding particle production in perturbative and non–perturbative regimes. We find that the dark matter production rate is dominated by non–derivative operators involving higher powers of the inflation field. Even if they appear with small Wilson coefficients, such operators can readily account for the correct dark matter abundance.
Key Questions
What is the focus of the article "On Gravitational Preheating"?
The article investigates the process of gravitational preheating, a critical phase in cosmology that occurs shortly after inflation, where the energy from the inflationary period is transferred into the creation of particles.
What is gravitational preheating?
Gravitational preheating refers to the mechanism by which the energy stored in the gravitational field after cosmic inflation is converted into matter and radiation, setting the stage for the hot Big Bang phase of the universe.
How does gravitational preheating relate to inflationary models?
The article explores how gravitational preheating is an essential feature of certain inflationary models, as it marks the transition from a vacuum-dominated energy state to a particle-filled universe that we observe today.
What role does the gravitational field play in preheating?
The gravitational field plays a central role by oscillating after inflation, which leads to the generation of particles through parametric resonance, thereby initiating the energy transfer to the matter and radiation fields.
What are the main challenges in studying gravitational preheating?
One of the main challenges is modeling the complex interactions between gravitational and matter fields during the early universe, particularly the non-linear dynamics of preheating and its impact on the evolution of the universe.
How does the study of gravitational preheating contribute to cosmology?
The study of gravitational preheating enhances our understanding of the early universe's transition from inflation to the radiation-dominated era, helping to refine inflationary models and providing insights into the conditions that led to the formation of the cosmos.
What are the implications of gravitational preheating for future cosmological research?
Future cosmological research could benefit from a deeper understanding of gravitational preheating, as it may offer new avenues for investigating the fine details of the early universe, including the generation of primordial gravitational waves and the thermal history of the universe.
