Fundamental forces and scalar field dynamics in the early universe

Alexander Kusenko; Volodymyr Takhistov; Masaki Yamada; Masahito Yamazaki

Physics Letters B (May 2020)

Fundamental forces and scalar field dynamics in the early universe

Alexander Kusenko,
Volodymyr Takhistov,
Masaki Yamada,
Masahito Yamazaki

Affiliations

Alexander Kusenko: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1547, USA; Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (WPI), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8583, Japan
Volodymyr Takhistov: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1547, USA; Corresponding author.
Masaki Yamada: Institute of Cosmology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, 574 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
Masahito Yamazaki: Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (WPI), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8583, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 804

Abstract

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Scalar weak gravity conjectures (SWGCs) attempt to pinpoint the ranges of couplings consistent with a fundamental theory of all interactions. We identify a generic dynamical consequence of these conjectures for cosmology and show that SWGCs imply a particular behavior of the scalar fields in the early universe. A scalar field that develops a large expectation value during inflation must relax to the minimum of effective potential at a later time. SWGCs imply that a homogeneous distribution of the field is unstable with respect to fragmentation into localized lumps, which could potentially lead to significant consequences for cosmology.

Published in Physics Letters B

ISSN: 0370-2693 (Print); 1873-2445 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Physics
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/physics-letters-b

About the journal