Speaker
Prof.
Stefan Antusch
(University of Basel (CH))
Description
We discuss inflation models in supergravity, where the inflaton resides in the matter sector of the theory. These models, referred to as matter inflation, are based on a tribrid structure in the superpotential and allow for a Heisenberg symmetry or a shift symmetry for solving the eta-problem. Possible close connections to particle physics theories are discussed, such as sneutrino hybrid inflation, or models where a D-flat direction of GUT multiplets acts as the inflaton in SO(10) Grand Unified Theories. Although inflation ends by a waterfall, associated with the breaking of a GUT or family symmetry, the production of topological defects can be avoided by vacuum preselection.
Author
Prof.
Stefan Antusch
(University of Basel (CH))
