45623621
Inflationary prediction for primordial non-gaussianity.
We extend the deltaN formalism so that it gives all of the stochastic properties of the primordial curvature perturbation zeta if the initial field perturbations are Gaussian. The calculation requires only the knowledge of some family of unperturbed universes. A formula is given for the normalization f(NL) of the bispectrum of zeta, which is the main signal of non-Gaussianity. Examples of the use of the formula are given, and its relation to cosmological perturbation theory is explained.
16996487
Non-gaussianity at tree- and one-loop levels from vector field perturbations
We study the spectrum ${\mathcal{P}}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$ and bispectrum ${B}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$ of the primordial curvature perturbation $\ensuremath{\zeta}$ when the latter is generated by scalar and vector field perturbations. The tree-level and one-loop contributions from vector field perturbations are worked out considering the possibility that the one-loop contributions may be dominant over the tree-level terms [both (either) in ${\mathcal{P}}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$ and (or) in ${B}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$] and vice versa. The level of non-Gaussianity in the bispectrum, ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}$, is calculated and related to the level of statistical anisotropy in the power spectrum, ${g}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$. For very small amounts of statistical anisotropy in the power spectrum, the level of non-Gaussianity may be very high, in some cases exceeding the current observational limit.
119291500
Statistical anisotropy of the curvature perturbation from vector field perturbations
The δN formula for the primordial curvature perturbation ζ is extended to include vector as well as scalar fields. Formulas for the tree-level contributions to the spectrum and bispectrum of ζ are given, exhibiting statistical anisotropy. The one-loop contribution to the spectrum of ζ is also worked out. We then consider the generation of vector field perturbations from the vacuum, including the longitudinal component that will be present if there is no gauge invariance. Finally, the δN formula is applied to the vector curvaton and vector inflation models with the tensor perturbation also evaluated in the latter case.
10763563
On the Issue of the ζ series convergence and loop corrections in the generation of observable primordial non-Gaussianity in slow-roll inflation. II. The trispectrum
We calculate the trispectrum ${T}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$ of the primordial curvature perturbation $\ensuremath{\zeta}$, generated during a slow-roll inflationary epoch by considering a two-field quadratic model of inflation with canonical kinetic terms. We consider loop contributions as well as tree-level terms, and show that it is possible to attain very high, including observable, values for the level of non-Gaussianity ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ if ${T}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$ is dominated by the one-loop contribution. Special attention is paid to the claim in J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys. 02 (2009) 017 that, in the model studied in this paper and for the specific inflationary trajectory we choose, the quantum fluctuations of the fields overwhelm the classical evolution. We argue that such a claim actually does not apply to our model, although more research is needed in order to understand the role of quantum diffusion. We also consider the probability that an observer in an ensemble of realizations of the density field sees a non-Gaussian distribution. In that respect, we show that the probability associated to the chosen inflationary trajectory is non-negligible. Finally, the levels of non-Gaussianity ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ in the bispectrum ${B}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$ and trispectrum ${T}_{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$ of $\ensuremath{\zeta}$, respectively, are also studied for the case in which $\ensuremath{\zeta}$ is not generated during inflation.
118417786
On the True Nature of Renormalizability in Horava-Lifshitz Gravity
We argue that the true nature of the renormalizability of Horava-Lifshitz gravity lies in the presence of higher order spatial derivatives and not in the anisotropic Lifshitz scaling of space and time. We discuss the possibility of constructing a higher order spatial derivatives model that has the same renormalization properties of Horava-Lifshitz gravity but that does not make use of the Lifshitz scaling. In addition, the state-of-the-art of the Lorentz symmetry restoration in Horava-Lifshitz-type theories of gravitation is reviewed.
119260086
The different varieties of the Suyama-Yamaguchi consistency relation and its violation as a signal of statistical inhomogeneity
We present the different consistency relations that can be seen as variations of the well known Suyama-Yamaguchi (SY) consistency relation τNL≥((6/5)fNL)2, the latter involving the levels of non-gaussianity fNL and τNL in the primordial curvature perturbation ζ. It has been (implicitly) claimed that the following variation: τNL(k1,k3)≥((6/5))2fNL(k1)fNL(k3), which we call ``the fourth variety'', in the collapsed (for τNL) and squeezed (for fNL) limits is always satisfied independently of any physics; however, the proof depends sensitively on the assumption of scale-invariance (expressing this way the fourth variety of the SY consistency relation as τNL≥((6/5)fNL)2) which only applies for cosmological models involving Lorentz-invariant scalar fields (at least at tree level), leaving room for a strong violation of this variety of the consistency relation when non-trivial degrees of freedom, for instance vector fields, are in charge of the generation of the primordial curvature perturbation. With this in mind as a motivation, we explicitly state, in the first part of this work, under which conditions the SY consistency relation has been claimed to hold in its different varieties (implicitly) presented in the literature since its inception back in 2008; as a result, we show for the first time that the variety τNL(k1,k1)≥((6/5)fNL(k1))2, which we call ``the fifth variety'', is always satisfied even when there is strong scale-dependence and high levels of statistical anisotropy as long as statistical homogeneity holds: thus, an observed violation of this specific variety would prevent the comparison between theory and observation, shaking this way the foundations of cosmology as a science. In the second part, we concern about the existence of non-trivial degrees of freedom, concretely vector fields for which the levels of non-gaussianity have been calculated for very few models; among them, and by making use of the δN formalism at tree level, we study a class of models that includes the vector curvaton scenario, vector inflation, and the hybrid inflation with coupled vector and scalar ``waterfall field'' where ζ is generated at the end of inflation, finding that the fourth variety of the SY consistency relation is indeed strongly violated for some specific wavevector configurations while the fifth variety continues to be well satisfied. Finally, as a byproduct of our investigation, we draw attention to a quite recently demonstrated variety of the SY consistency relation: τisoNL≥((6/5)fisoNL)2, in scenarios where scalar and vector fields contribute to the generation of the primordial curvature perturbation; this variety of the SY consistency relation is satisfied although the isotropic pieces of the non-gaussianity parameters receive contributions from the vector fields. We discuss further implications for observational cosmology.
118662023
Expected Performance of the ATLAS Experiment - Detector, Trigger and Physics
A detailed study is presented of the expected performance of the ATLAS detector. The reconstruction of tracks, leptons, photons, missing energy and jets is investigated, together with the performance of b-tagging and the trigger. The physics potential for a variety of interesting physics processes, within the Standard Model and beyond, is examined. The study comprises a series of notes based on simulations of the detector and physics processes, with particular emphasis given to the data expected from the first years of operation of the LHC at CERN.
113198029
Triggering on Long-Lived Neutral Particles in the ATLAS Detector
Neutral particles with long decay paths that decay to many-particle final states represent, from an experimental point of view, a challenge both for the trigger and for the reconstruction capabilities of the ATLAS apparatus. The Hidden Valley scenario serves as an excellent setting for the purpose of exploring the challenges to the trigger posed by long-lived particles.