A first principles approach to inflation and reheating

A first principles approach to inflation and reheating
Gilles Buldgen, Université catholique de Louvain
Date and time: Fri, Nov 16, 2018 - 2:15pm
Location: LGRT 419B
Category: Theory Talk
Special notes:

This talk is meant to be informal and pedagogical. Students are encouraged to attend, and audience participation is welcomed.

Abstract:

From first principles of non-equilibrium quantum field theory in the Closed Time Path formalism (or “in-in formalism”) and by means of 2 Particle Irreducible resummation schemes, we derive an effective quantum kinetic equation for a scalar field that is coupled to a thermal plasma. This approach allows to systematically study thermal and quantum corrections to both the effective potential that drives the motion of the field expectation value as well as the dissipation it experiences due to the coupling to other fields. Possible applications addressed during the talk are decoherence during inflation, reheating and the feasibility of Warm Inflation models.