Higgs Inflationary Models in Scalar Field Theories
Summary
The Higgs inflationary paradigm posits the Standard Model Higgs field as the driver of cosmic inflation, achieved through a non-minimal coupling to the Ricci scalar. In this framework, a large coupling parameter flattens the effective potential in the Einstein frame, generating the near-scale invariant spectrum observed in the cosmic microwave background. The inflationary epoch can be formulated in either the metric or Palatini approach to gravity, which yield differing requirements on the coupling strength and influence the field excursion relative to the Planck scale. Extensions incorporating a Ricci-squared term introduce an additional scalar degree of freedom—the scalaron—which can ameliorate unitarity bounds and extend the ultraviolet cutoff. Quantum corrections arising in various gravitational formalisms, including Einstein-Cartan gravity, further modify the inflaton potential and can introduce new heavy modes that decouple in certain limits. These developments connect Higgs inflation to geometric formulations of scalar field space, ensuring frame-independent predictions and addressing potential strong-coupling issues during reheating and preheating while preserving compatibility with particle physics constraints.
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Higgs Inflationary Models in Scalar Field Theories publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in higgs inflationary models in scalar field theories across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Non-minimal coupling: Interaction between the scalar field and the Ricci curvature, modifying the effective inflaton potential.
Jordan and Einstein frames: Two conformal representations of scalar-tensor theories, related by a Weyl transformation that redefines the metric and scalar field.
Scalaron: Additional scalar degree of freedom emerging from R² (Ricci-squared) terms in the gravitational action.
Ultraviolet (UV) cutoff: Energy scale beyond which the effective field theory description breaks down.
Einstein-Cartan gravity: Extension of general relativity including torsion, which allows spin-current couplings and modifies quantum corrections.
Coleman–Weinberg approximation: Method to compute one-loop radiative corrections to scalar potentials in quantum field theory.
References
- Geometry and Unitarity of Scalar Fields Coupled to Gravity. Physical Review Letters (2024).
- Quantum corrections to Higgs inflation in Einstein-Cartan gravity. Journal of High Energy Physics (2024).
- Higgs inflation: Constraining the top quark mass and breaking the H 0-σ 8 correlation. Physics Letters B (2024).
- Inflation with non-minimal coupling: Metric vs. Palatini formulations. Physics Letters B (2008).
- Higgs scalaron mixed inflation. Physics Letters B (2017).
- The Standard Model Higgs boson as the inflaton. Physics Letters B (2008).
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