Clockwork inflation with non-minimal coupling

Abstract

© 2019, The Author(s).We suggest a clockwork mechanism for a Higgs-like inflation with the non-minimal coupling term ξϕ2R. The seemingly unnatural ratio of parameters, λ/ ξ2∼ 10 - 10 of the self quartic coupling of the inflaton, λ, and the non-minimal coupling, ξ, is understood by exponential suppression of λ by the clockwork mechanism, instead of a large non-minimal coupling. The portal interaction between the inflaton and the Standard Model (SM) Higgs doublet is introduced as a source of reheating and the inflaton mass. Successful realization of inflation requires that the inflaton gets a mass around (sub) GeV scale, which would lead to observable consequences depending on reheating process and its lifetime