The imaginary Starobinsky model. Issue 7 (5th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferrara, S.; Kehagias, A.; Riotto, A.
• Is Part Of: Fortschritte der Physik. Volume 62:Issue 7(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 573
• Page End: 583
• Publication Date: 2014-05-05
• Subjects: Physics -- Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1002/prop.201400018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0015-8208

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The recent detection by the BICEP2 collaboration of a high level of tensor modes seems to exclude the Starobinsky model of inflation. In this paper we show that this conclusion can be avoided: one can embed the Starobinsky model in supergravity and identify the inflaton field with the imaginary (instead of the real) part of the chiral scalaron multiplet in its formulation. Once coupled to matter, the Starobinsky model may then become the chaotic quadratic model with shift symmetry during inflation and is in good agreement with the current data.</p> </abstract>