One-loop electromagnetic correlators of SQED in power-law inflation

Abstract

We examine scalar quantum electrodynamics in power-law inflation space-time, and compute the one-loop correction to electric and magnetic field correlators at superhorizon separations. The effect at one-loop descends from the coupling of the vector to the charged scalar current which is greatly enhanced due to gravitational particle production. We conclude that non-perturbative effects must exist due to (i) secular growth, (ii) spatial running, and (iii) infrared sensitivity of the one-loop correction to the correlators. Electric and magnetic correlators exhibit a hierarchy that is due to Faraday's law and accelerated expansion, and must hold non-perturbatively.