On axionic field ranges, loopholes and the weak gravity conjecture

• Published in: The journal of high energy physics Vol. 2016; no. 4; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Brown, Jon, Cottrell, William, Shiu, Gary, Soler, Pablo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-04-2016; Springer Nature B.V; Springer Berlin
• Subjects: ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS; Classical and Quantum Gravitation; Cosmology of Theories beyond the SM; Elementary Particles; Gravitation; High energy physics; Inflation; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum Field Theories; Quantum Field Theory; Quantum gravity; Quantum Physics; Regular Article - Theoretical Physics; Relativity Theory; String Theory; Superstring Vacua; Superstring Vacua; Cosmology of Theories beyond the SM
• ISSN: 1029-8479; 1029-8479
• DOI: 10.1007/JHEP04(2016)017

A
bstract
In this short note we clarify some aspects of the impact that the Weak Gravity Conjecture has on models of (generalized) natural inflation. We address in particular certain technical and conceptual concerns recently raised regarding the stringent constraints and conclusions found in our previous work [
1
]. We also point out the difficulties faced by attempts to evade these constraints. These new considerations improve the understanding of the quantum gravity constraints we found and further support the conclusion that it remains challenging for axions to drive natural inflation.