Gravitational waves in warm inflation

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the generation of gravitational waves during warm inflation, specifically focusing on the behavior of tensor perturbations in relation to the thermal background. Participants explore the reasons why tensor perturbations do not couple strongly to thermal effects, examining the implications of twisting forces and fluid dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference a source that states tensor perturbations are generated by quantum fluctuations and do not couple strongly to the thermal background during inflation.
  • One participant suggests that twisting forces have no effect on radiation, indicating a distinction between interactions with solid objects versus fluids.
  • Another participant questions the reasoning behind the assertion that twisting forces do not affect radiation and seeks additional resources for further understanding.
  • A later reply proposes that low-viscosity fluids do not resist shear forces, implying that they flow instead of building up shear, which may relate to the behavior of tensor perturbations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views regarding the interaction of twisting forces with radiation and the behavior of fluids, indicating that consensus has not been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the underlying mechanics of twisting forces and their effects on radiation, as well as the implications for tensor perturbations in warm inflation. There are unresolved questions about the definitions and assumptions related to fluid dynamics and gravitational wave generation.

shinobi20
Messages
277
Reaction score
20
https://arxiv.org/pdf/astro-ph/0006077v2.pdf

page 5. Tensor Perturbations

"Tensor perturbations do not couple strongly to the thermal background and so gravitational waves are only generated by quantum fluctuations, as in standard supercooled inflation".

Why? Tensor perturbations are created by inflation but why don't they couple strongly to the thermal background?
 
Space news on Phys.org
From what I recall, it's because twisting forces have no effect on radiation. This kind of thing can interact with solid objects, but not fluids.
 
Chalnoth said:
From what I recall, it's because twisting forces have no effect on radiation. This kind of thing can interact with solid objects, but not fluids.
Why is that twisting forces have no effect on radiation? Do you have any resources that I can look into?
 
shinobi20 said:
Why is that twisting forces have no effect on radiation? Do you have any resources that I can look into?
I think it's because low-viscocity fluids don't resist shear (twisting) forces: instead of building up a shear force, they flow.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K