Inflation with High Derivative Couplings

Abstract

We study a class of generalized inflation models in which the inflaton is coupled to the Ricci scalar by a general $f(\phi, R)$ term. The scalar power spectrum, the spectral index, the running of the spectral index, the tensor mode spectrum and a new consistency relation of the model are calculated. We discuss in detail the issues of how to diagonize the coupled perturbation equations, how to deal with an entropy-like source, and how to determine the initial condition by quantization. By studying some explicit models, we find that rich phenomena such as a blue scalar power spectrum, a large running of the spectral index, and a blue tensor mode spectrum can be obtained.