Suppressing extra-dimensional axion isocurvature dynamically
Extra-dimensional QCD axion is well motivated by string compactifications and enjoys enhanced protection against quality-violating effects. If present during inflation, however, its quantum fluctuations generate isocurvature perturbations that strongly constrain the inflationary scale. We propose a dynamical suppression mechanism in warped five-dimensional models, where a radion-inflaton coupling sets the radion minimum at small inter-brane separation during inflation, temporarily enhancing the effective four-dimensional axion decay constant. After inflation, the radion minimum shifts to larger separation, restoring the standard QCD axion window. In a warped orbifold GUT with Goldberger-Wise stabilization, this mechanism can satisfy CMB isocurvature bounds while allowing substantially higher inflationary scales than in conventional pre-inflationary axion cosmology.
Authors
- Tony Gherghetta A (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8489-1116)
- Gongjun Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8515-5586)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
- Published
- 2026-10-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/pbs4-gg4r
- Primary Topic
- Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- U.S. Department of Energy
- University of Minnesota