Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Extra-dimensional QCD axion is well motivated by string compactifications and enjoys enhanced protection against quality-violating effects. If present during inflation, however, its quantum fluctuations generate isocurvature perturbations that strongly constrain the inflationary scale. We propose a dynamical suppression mechanism in warped five-dimensional models, where a radion-inflaton coupling sets the radion minimum at small inter-brane separation during inflation, temporarily enhancing the effective four-dimensional axion decay constant. After inflation, the radion minimum shifts to larger separation, restoring the standard QCD axion window. In a warped orbifold GUT with Goldberger-Wise stabilization, this mechanism can satisfy CMB isocurvature bounds while allowing substantially higher inflationary scales than in conventional pre-inflationary axion cosmology.
DOI: 10.1103/pbs4-gg4r
Authors: Gongjun Choi, Tony Gherghetta
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7168278088