Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Abstract
In single-field, slow-roll inflationary models, scalar and tensorial (Gaussian) perturbations are both characterized by a zero mean and a non-zero variance. In position space, the corresponding variance of those fields diverges in the ultraviolet. The requirement of a finite variance in position space forces its regularization via quantum field renormalization in an expanding universe. This has an important impact on the predicted scalar and tensorial power spectra for wavelengths that today are at observable scales. In particular, we find a non-trivial change in the consistency condition that relates the tensor-to-scalar ratio r to the spectral indices. For instance, an exact scale-invariant tensorial power spectrum, nt 0, is now compatible with a non-zero ratio r 0.12 0.06, which is forbidden by the standard prediction (r -8nt). Forthcoming observations of the influence of relic gravitational waves on the CMB will offer a non-trivial test of the new predictions. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Recommended Citation
Agulló, I., Navarro-Salas, J., Olmo, G., & Parker, L. (2010). Inflation, renormalization, and CMB anisotropies. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 229 https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/229/1/012058