Lecture Notes on Non-Gaussianity

Byrnes, Christian T.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-44769-8_3

Christian T. Byrnes⁶

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings ((ASSSP,volume 45))

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Abstract

We discuss how primordial non-Gaussianity of the curvature perturbation helps to constrain models of the early universe. Observations are consistent with Gaussian initial conditions, compatible with the predictions of the simplest models of inflation. Deviations are constrained to be at the sub percent level, constraining alternative models such as those with multiple fields, non-canonical kinetic terms or breaking the slow-roll conditions. We introduce some of the most important models of inflation which generate non-Gaussian perturbations and provide practical tools on how to calculate the three-point correlation function for a popular class of non-Gaussian models. The current state of the field is summarised and an outlook is given.

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Acknowledgements

Christian T. Byrnes is supported by a Royal Society University Research Fellowship. I wish to thank the organisers of the second JPBCosmo school for the invitation to hold this lecture course in the shadow of the beautiful Pedra Azul mountain in Espírito Santo, Brasil. Special thanks are due to Hermano Endlich Schneider Velten and his family for hospitality before and after the school.

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Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pevensey II Building, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RH, UK
Christian T. Byrnes

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Departamento de Física, CCE, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória/ES, Brazil
Júlio C. Fabris
Departamento de Física, CCE, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória/ES, Brazil
Oliver F. Piattella
Departamento de Física, CCE, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória/ES, Brazil
Davi C. Rodrigues
Departamento de Física, CCE, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória/ES, Brazil
Hermano E.S. Velten
Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória/ES, Brazil
Winfried Zimdahl

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Byrnes, C.T. (2016). Lecture Notes on Non-Gaussianity. In: Fabris, J., Piattella, O., Rodrigues, D., Velten, H., Zimdahl, W. (eds) The Cosmic Microwave Background. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, vol 45. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44769-8_3

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44769-8_3
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