PIRSA:20110058 Scientific Series Particle Physics

DOI10.48660/20110058

Series: Particle Physics

Berghaus, K. (2020). Thermal Friction in Early Cosmology.. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/20110058

Berghaus, Kim. Thermal Friction in Early Cosmology.. Perimeter Institute, Nov. 17, 2020, https://pirsa.org/20110058 

@misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:20110058,
  doi = {10.48660/20110058},
  url = {https://pirsa.org/20110058},
  author = {Berghaus, Kim},
  keywords = {Particle Physics},
  language = {en},
  title = {Thermal Friction in Early Cosmology.},
  publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
  year = {2020},
  month = {nov},
  note = {PIRSA:20110058 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
}

Abstract

Rolling scalar fields play an important role in understanding cosmology within a particle physics framework. Coupling a rolling scalar field to light degrees of freedom gives rise to a thermal friction which, if large enough, induces a thermal bath. In the context of inflation the presence of such a thermal bath has compelling consequences as it significantly alters the usual observables, leading to a suppression of the tensor-to-scalar ratio r and a unique prediction for non-gaussianities. In my talk, I will illuminate why the axion of a non-Abelian gauge group is the ideal candidate for generating the thermal friction and how it sets the stage for a minimal setup of warm inflation, as well as a potential solution to the Hubble tension.

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