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Title: Constraints on axion inflation from the weak gravity conjecture

Abstract

We derive constraints facing models of axion inflation based on decay constant alignment from a string-theoretic and quantum gravitational perspective. In particular, we investigate the prospects for alignment and 'anti-alignment' of C{sub 4} axion decay constants in type IIB string theory, deriving a strict no-go result in the latter case. We discuss the relationship of axion decay constants to the weak gravity conjecture and demonstrate agreement between our string-theoretic constraints and those coming from the 'generalized' weak gravity conjecture. Finally, we consider a particular model of decay constant alignment in which the potential of C{sub 4} axions in type IIB compactifications on a Calabi-Yau three-fold is dominated by contributions from D7-branes, pointing out that this model evades some of the challenges derived earlier in our paper but is highly constrained by other geometric considerations.

Authors:
 [1]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22525371
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics; Journal Volume: 2015; Journal Issue: 09; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
79 ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY; ALIGNMENT; AXIONS; BRANES; COMPACTIFICATION; COSMOLOGICAL INFLATION; GRAVITATION; INFLATIONARY UNIVERSE; LIMITING VALUES; PARTICLE DECAY; POTENTIALS; QUANTUM GRAVITY; STRING THEORY

Citation Formats

Rudelius, Tom, E-mail: rudelius@physics.harvard.edu. Constraints on axion inflation from the weak gravity conjecture. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2015/09/020.
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Rudelius, Tom, E-mail: rudelius@physics.harvard.edu. Constraints on axion inflation from the weak gravity conjecture. United States. doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2015/09/020.
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Rudelius, Tom, E-mail: rudelius@physics.harvard.edu. Tue . "Constraints on axion inflation from the weak gravity conjecture". United States. doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2015/09/020.
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@article{osti_22525371,
title = {Constraints on axion inflation from the weak gravity conjecture},
author = {Rudelius, Tom, E-mail: rudelius@physics.harvard.edu},
abstractNote = {We derive constraints facing models of axion inflation based on decay constant alignment from a string-theoretic and quantum gravitational perspective. In particular, we investigate the prospects for alignment and 'anti-alignment' of C{sub 4} axion decay constants in type IIB string theory, deriving a strict no-go result in the latter case. We discuss the relationship of axion decay constants to the weak gravity conjecture and demonstrate agreement between our string-theoretic constraints and those coming from the 'generalized' weak gravity conjecture. Finally, we consider a particular model of decay constant alignment in which the potential of C{sub 4} axions in type IIB compactifications on a Calabi-Yau three-fold is dominated by contributions from D7-branes, pointing out that this model evades some of the challenges derived earlier in our paper but is highly constrained by other geometric considerations.},
doi = {10.1088/1475-7516/2015/09/020},
journal = {Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics},
number = 09,
volume = 2015,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}
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Journal Article:
DOI:  10.1088/1475-7516/2015/09/020
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  • - Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
    We derive constraints facing models of axion inflation based on decay constant alignment from a string-theoretic and quantum gravitational perspective. In particular, we investigate the prospects for alignment and ‘anti-alignment’ of C{sub 4} axion decay constants in type IIB string theory, deriving a strict no-go result in the latter case. We discuss the relationship of axion decay constants to the weak gravity conjecture and demonstrate agreement between our string-theoretic constraints and those coming from the ‘generalized’ weak gravity conjecture. Finally, we consider a particular model of decay constant alignment in which the potential of C{sub 4} axions in type IIBmore » compactifications on a Calabi-Yau three-fold is dominated by contributions from D7-branes, pointing out that this model evades some of the challenges derived earlier in our paper but is highly constrained by other geometric considerations.« less

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