Scalar correlation functions in de Sitter space from the stochastic spectral expansion
File(s)1904.11917v2.pdf (833.51 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Markkanen, Tommi
Rajantie, Arttu
Stopyra, Stephen
Tenkanen, Tommi
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We consider light scalar fields during inflation and show how the stochastic spectral expansion method can be used to calculate two-point correlation functions of an arbitrary local function of the field in de Sitter space. In particular, we use this approach for a massive scalar field with quartic self-interactions to calculate the fluctuation spectrum of the density contrast and compare it to other approximations. We find that neither Gaussian nor linear approximations accurately reproduce the power spectrum, and in fact always overestimate it. For example, for a scalar field with only a quartic term in the potential, V=λϕ4/4, we find a blue spectrum with spectral index n−1=0.579√λ.
Date Issued
2019-08-01
Date Acceptance
2019-07-01
Citation
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, 2019, 2019 (8), pp.1-23
ISSN
1475-7516
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Start Page
1
End Page
23
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Volume
2019
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
© 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000478629000001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
ST/P000762/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Physics, Particles & Fields
Physics
quantum field theory on curved space
physics of the early universe
FIELD
PERTURBATIONS
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 001
Date Publish Online
2019-08-01