Searching for New Physics on Earth and in the Sky -- the case for Inflaton and Dark Matter
ABSTRACT :
In this talk, I shall focus on two aspects of astro-particle physics, Inflaton and Dark Matter (DM). I shall motivate why it is desirable to embed the inflaton within a model of particle physics. In particular, certain inflationary models within the framework of supersymmetry will be discussed. Subsequently, with a more phenomenological approach, I shall show that such a potential, with sub-Planckian field excursions of the inflaton, can give rise to observable tensor-to-scalar ratio, while satisfying all relevant constraints from CMB. I shall also comment on probing the small scale behavior of such inflationary potentials using future gravitational wave detectors. In the next part of this talk I shall focus on DM. Starting with the case for Primo rdial Black Holes (PBHs), I shall discuss certain well-motivated Dark Matter candidates, constraints, and prospects of their detection. In each case, I shall comment on the viability of DM as a thermal relic. Finally, I shall briefly sketch a particular non-thermal production mechanism for the Dark Sector (DS), which relies on a possible connection between DS and the inflaton.