Running inflation in the Standard Model

An interacting scalar field with largish Coupling to curvature can support a distinctive inflationary universe scenario. Previously this has been discussed for the Standard Model Higgs field, treated classically or in a leading log approximation. Here we investigate the quantum theory using renormalization group methods. In this model the running of both the effective Planck mass and the couplings is important. The cosmological predictions are consistent with existing WMAP5 data, with 0.967 less than or similar to n(s) less than or similar to 0.98 (for N(e) = 60) and negligible gravity waves. We find a relationship between the spectral index and the Higgs mass that is sharply varying for m(h) similar to 120-135 GeV (depending on the top mass); in the future, that relationship could be tested against data from PLANCK and LHC. We also comment briefly on how similar dynamics might arise in more general settings, and discuss our assumptions from the effective field theory point of view. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.