Quantum stress tensor fluctuations and primordial gravity waves

Jen-Tsung Hsiang, L. H. Ford, Kin-Wang Ng, and Chun-Hsien Wu
Phys. Rev. D 95, 063524 – Published 28 March 2017

Abstract

We examine the effect of the stress tensor of a quantum matter field, such as the electromagnetic field, on the spectrum of primordial gravity waves expected in inflationary cosmology. We find that the net effect is a small reduction in the power spectrum, especially at higher frequencies, but which has a different form from that described by the usual spectral index. Thus, this effect has a characteristic signature, and is, in principle, observable. The net effect is a sum of two contributions, one of which is due to quantum fluctuations of the matter field stress tensor. The other is a quantum correction to the graviton field due to coupling to the expectation value of this stress tensor. Both contributions are sensitive to initial conditions in the very early universe, so this effect has the potential to act as a probe of these initial conditions.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 5 January 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.95.063524

© 2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Gravitation, Cosmology & AstrophysicsParticles & Fields

Authors & Affiliations

Jen-Tsung Hsiang1,*, L. H. Ford2,†, Kin-Wang Ng3,‡, and Chun-Hsien Wu4,§

  • 1Center for Particle Physics and Field Theory, Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • 2Institute of Cosmology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
  • 3Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
  • 4Department of Physics, Soochow University, 70 Linhsi Road, Shihlin, Taipei 111, Taiwan

  • *cosmology@gmail.com
  • ford@cosmos.phy.tufts.edu
  • nkw@phys.sinica.edu.tw
  • §chunwu@scu.edu.tw

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 6 — 15 March 2017

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review D

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×