Work

Effects of scalar non-Gaussianity on induced scalar-tensor gravitational waves

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: If primordial scalar or tensor perturbations are enhanced on short scales, it may lead to the production of observable gravitational wave signals. These waves may be sourced by scalar-scalar, scalar-tensor or tensor-tensor interactions. Typically, models of inflation capable of producing large peaks in the scalar primordial power spectrum also generate sizeable scalar non-Gaussianity. Previous studies have investigated the possible effects of this on the scalar-scalar induced gravitational wave spectrum by assuming a local expansion in terms of the parameters F NL, G NL and so on. We extend this approach to the case of scalar-tensor induced gravitational waves, introducing a local expansion for scalar non-Gaussianity into the scalar-tensor sector equations. We compute the contribution to the gravitational wave spectrum from the resulting new term and analyse its distinguishing features.

Source: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2025/02/037

Authors: Raphaël Picard, Matthew W. Davies

Institution: Queen Mary University of London

Language: English

Topic: Cosmology and Gravitation Theories

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290

Funders: Queen Mary University of London, Science and Technology Facilities Council