Axion

Physics

Dark matter

Pure mathematics

Mathematics

Parameter space

Monodromy

Particle physics

Inflaton

Primordial black hole

Gravitational wave

Inflation (cosmology)

Geometry

Quantum electrodynamics

Theoretical physics

Astrophysics

Massless particle

Binary black hole

Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

In the axion monodromy inflation, the inflation is driven by the axion with super-Planckian field values in a monomial potential with superimposed sinusoidal modulations. The coupling of the axion to massless gauge fields can induce copious particle production during inflation, resulting in large non-Gaussian curvature perturbation that leads to the formation of primordial black holes. In this paper, we explore the parameter space in the axion monodromy inflation model that favors the formation of primordial black holes with masses ranging from 108 grams to 20 solar masses. We also study the associated gravitational waves and their detection in pulsar timing arrays and interferometry experiments.

Primordial black holes and associated gravitational waves in axion monodromy inflation