Multi-peaked signatures of primordial gravitational waves from multi-step electroweak phase transition

Abstract

The first-order electroweak phase transition in the early universe could occur in multiple steps leading to specific multi-peaked signatures in the primordial gravitational wave (GW) spectrum. We argue that these signatures are generic phenomena in multi-scalar extensions of the Standard Model. In a simple example of such an extension, we have studied the emergence of reoccurring and nested vacuum bubble configurations and their role in the formation of multiple peaks in the GW spectrum. The conditions for potential detectability of these features by the forthcoming generation of interferometers have been studied.