Events

Theory Seminar (High Energy/Cosmology)

<< Summer 2019 Fall 2019 Spring 2020 >>
Subscribe your calendar or receive email announcements of events

Events During the Week of August 18th through August 25th, 2019

Monday, August 19th, 2019

No events scheduled

Tuesday, August 20th, 2019

No events scheduled

Wednesday, August 21st, 2019

Quantum non-linear evolution of inflationary tensor perturbations
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Place: 5280 Chamberlin
Speaker: Jinn-Ouk Gong, KASI
Abstract: We study the quantum mechanical evolution of the tensor perturbations during inflation with non-linear tensor interactions. We first obtain the Lindblad terms generated by non-linear interactions by tracing out unobservable sub-horizon modes. Then we calculate explicitly the reduced density matrix for the super-horizon modes, and show that the probability of maintaining the unitarity of the squeezed state decreases in time. The decreased probability is transferred to other elements of the reduced density matrix including off-diagonal ones, so the evolution of the reduced density matrix describes the quantum-to-classical transition of the tensor perturbations. This is different from the classicality accomplished by the squeezed state, the suppression of the non-commutative effect, which is originated from the quadratic, linear interaction, and also maintains the unitarity. The quantum-to-classical transition occurs within 5 - 10 e-folds, faster than the curvature perturbation.
Host: Alex Cole
Add this event to your calendar

Thursday, August 22nd, 2019

No events scheduled

Friday, August 23rd, 2019

No events scheduled