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Non-minimal coupling of the Higgs boson to curvature in an inflationary universe
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-21, 06:02 authored by Xavier CalmetXavier Calmet, Iberê Kuntz, Ian G MossIn the absence of new physics around 10^10 GeV, the electroweak vacuum is at best metastable. This represents a major challenge for high scale in ationary models as, during the early rapid expansion of the universe, it seems difficult to understand how the Higgs vacuum would not decay to the true lower vacuum of the theory with catas- trophic consequences if inflation took place at a scale above 10^10 GeV. In this paper we show that the non-minimal coupling of the Higgs boson to curvature could solve this problem by generating a direct coupling of the Higgs boson to the inflationary potential thereby stabilizing the electroweak vacuum. For specific values of the Higgs field initial condition and of its non-minimal coupling, inflation can drive the Higgs field to the electroweak vacuum quickly during inflation.
Funding
South-Eastern Particle Theory Alliance Sussex - RHUL - UCL 2017-2020 - Sussex node; G2074; STFC-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL; ST/P000819/1
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Foundations of PhysicsISSN
0015-9018Publisher
Springer VerlagExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
48Page range
110-120Department affiliated with
- Physics and Astronomy Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2017-12-20First Open Access (FOA) Date
2017-12-20First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2017-12-20Usage metrics
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