Logarithmic divergences in the $k$-inflationary power spectra computed through the uniform approximation [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1506.08344


We investigate a calculation method for solving the Mukhanov-Sasaki equation in slow-roll $k$-inflation based on the uniform approximation in conjunction with an expansion scheme for slow-roll parameters with respect to the number of $e$-folds about the so-called turning point. Earlier works on this method has so far gained sensible calculation results for the resulting expression for power spectra among others, up to second order with respect to the Hubble and sound flow parameters, when compared to other semi-analytical approaches (e.g., Green’s function and WKB methods). However, a closer inspection is suggestive that this may not hold when higher-order parts of the power spectra are considered; residual logarithmic divergences may come out that would make the prediction problematic. Looking at this possibility, we map out up to what order with respect to the mentioned parameters several physical quantities can be calculated before hitting a logarithmically divergent result. It turns out that the power spectra are limited up to second order, the tensor-to-scalar ratio up to third order, and the spectral indices and running can be calculated up to any order.

Read this paper on arXiv…

A. Alinea, T. Kubota and W. Naylor
Tue, 30 Jun 15
74/75

Comments: 27 pages, one table