Inflationary Predictions for Scalar and Tensor Fluctuations Reconsidered

Latham A. Boyle, Paul J. Steinhardt, and Neil Turok
Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 111301 – Published 24 March 2006

Abstract

We reconsider the predictions of inflation for the spectral index of scalar (energy density) fluctuations (ns) and the tensor/scalar ratio (r) using a discrete, model-independent measure of the degree of fine-tuning required to obtain a given combination of (ns, r). We find that, except for cases with numerous unnecessary degrees of fine-tuning, ns is less than 0.98, measurably different from exact Harrison-Zel’dovich. Furthermore, if ns0.95, in accord with current measurements, the tensor/scalar ratio satisfies r102, a range that should be detectable in proposed cosmic microwave background polarization experiments and direct gravitational wave searches.

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  • Received 28 August 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.111301

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Latham A. Boyle1, Paul J. Steinhardt1, and Neil Turok2

  • 1Department of Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
  • 2Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 OWA, United Kingdom

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Vol. 96, Iss. 11 — 24 March 2006

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