A unique gravitational wave signal from phase transition during inflation*

• We study the properties of gravitational wave (GW) signals produced by first-order phase transitions during the inflation era. We show that the power spectrum of a GW oscillates with its wave number. This signal can be observed directly by future terrestrial and spatial GW detectors and through the B-mode spectrum in the CMB. This oscillatory feature of the GW is generic for any approximately instantaneous sources occurring during inflation and is distinct from the GW from phase transitions after inflation. The details of the GW spectrum contain information about the scale of the phase transition and the later evolution of the universe.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

gravitational waves

inflation

phase transition

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)