Spacetime curvature and Higgs stability after inflation
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Herranen, M
Markkanen, T
Nurmi, S
Rajantie, A
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We investigate the dynamics of the Higgs field at the end of inflation in the
minimal scenario consisting of an inflaton field coupled to the Standard Model
only through the non-minimal gravitational coupling $\xi$ of the Higgs field.
Such a coupling is required by renormalisation of the Standard Model in curved
space, and in the current scenario also by vacuum stability during high-scale
inflation. We find that for $\xi\gtrsim 1$, rapidly changing spacetime
curvature at the end of inflation leads to significant production of Higgs
particles, potentially triggering a transition to a negative-energy Planck
scale vacuum state and causing an immediate collapse of the Universe.
minimal scenario consisting of an inflaton field coupled to the Standard Model
only through the non-minimal gravitational coupling $\xi$ of the Higgs field.
Such a coupling is required by renormalisation of the Standard Model in curved
space, and in the current scenario also by vacuum stability during high-scale
inflation. We find that for $\xi\gtrsim 1$, rapidly changing spacetime
curvature at the end of inflation leads to significant production of Higgs
particles, potentially triggering a transition to a negative-energy Planck
scale vacuum state and causing an immediate collapse of the Universe.
Date Issued
2015-12-11
Date Acceptance
2015-11-05
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2015, 115 (24)
ISSN
1079-7114
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
115
Issue
24
Copyright Statement
© 2015 The American Physical Society
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Grant Number
ST/L00044X/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
ELECTROWEAK VACUUM
PARTICLE-PRODUCTION
CREATION
FIELDS
hep-ph
hep-ph
astro-ph.CO
01 Mathematical Sciences
02 Physical Sciences
09 Engineering
General Physics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 241301
Date Publish Online
2015-12-08