Preheating dynamics in the early universe
Title: Preheating dynamics in the early universe
DNr: SNIC 2018/7-68
Project Type: SNIC Small Compute
Principal Investigator: Stanislav Rusak <stanislav.rusak@su.se>
Affiliation: NORDITA
Duration: 2018-11-06 – 2019-11-01
Classification: 10305
Keywords:

Abstract

I propose to study the non-perturbative dynamics of quantum fields in the early universe, in the era of preheating. After cosmic inflation, the inflaton field starts to oscillate around the minimum of its potential producing quanta of the fields it is coupled to via parametric or tachyonic resonance. I aim to study this effect using lattice simulations. In particular, I intend to examine the role of this effect in the stability of the electroweak vacuum in the case where the inflaton is coupled to the higgs field as well as implications for dark matter and gravitational wave production.