Non-Gaussianity, isocurvature perturbation, gravitational waves, and a no-go theorem for the isocurvaton
We investigate the isocurvaton model, in which the isocurvature perturbation plays a role in suppressing the curvature perturbation, and large non-Gaussianity and gravitational waves can be produced with no isocurvature perturbation for dark matter. We show that in the slow-roll noninteracting multifield theory, the isocurvaton mechanism cannot be realized. This result can also be generalized to most of the studied models with generalized kinetic terms. We also study the implications for the curvaton model. We show that there is a combined constraint for curvaton on non-Gaussianity, gravitational waves, and isocurvature perturbation. The technique used in this paper can also help to simplify some calculations in the mixed inflaton and curvaton models. We also investigate the possibility of producing large negative non-Gaussianity and nonlocal non-Gaussianity in the curvaton model.

title: Reconstructing the local potential of inflation with BICEP2 data
abstract: We locally reconstruct the inflationary potential by using the current constraints on r and n(s) from BICEP2 data. Assuming small and negligible alpha(s), the inflationary potential is approximately linear in Delta phi similar to M-pl range but becomes non-linear in Delta phi similar to 10M(pl) range. However if we vary the value of alpha(s) within the range given by constraints from Planck measurement, the local reconstruction is only valid in the range of Delta phi similar to 0.4M(pl), which challenges the inflationary background from the point of view of effective field theory. We show that, within the range of Delta phi similar to 0.4M(pl), the inflation potential can be precisely reconstructed. With the current reconstruction, we show that V(phi) similar to phi(2) and phi(3) are consistent, while phi model is ruled out by 95% confidence level of the reconstructed range of potential. This sets up a strong limit of large-field inflation models.

title: Curvaton dynamics and the non-linearity parameters in the curvaton model
abstract: We investigate the curvaton dynamics and the non-linearity parameters in the curvaton model with a potential slightly deviating from the quadratic form in detail. The non-linearity parameter gNL will show up due to the curvaton self-interaction. We also point out that the leading order of the non-quadratic term in the curvaton potential can be negative, for example in the axion-type curvaton model. If a large positive gNL is detected, the axion-type curvaton model will be preferred.

title: CMB statistical anisotropies of classical and quantum origins
abstract: We examine the impact of different anisotropic relics on inflation, in particular the predictions on the density perturbations. These relics can be the source of the large scale anomalies in the cosmic microwave background. There are two different types of background relics, one from the matter sector and the other purely from the metric. Although the angular-dependence of the statistical anisotropy in both cases are degenerate, the scale-dependence are observationally distinctive. In addition, we demonstrate that non-Bunch-Davies vacuum states can extend the statistical anisotropy to much shorter scales, and leave a scale-dependence that is insensitive to the different backgrounds but sensitive to the initial quantum state.

title: Quasi-Single Field Inflation and Non-Gaussianities
abstract: In quasi-single field inflation models, massive isocurvature modes, that are coupled to the inflaton and have mass of order the Hubble parameter, can have nontrivial impacts on density perturbations, especially non-Gaussianities. We study a simple example of quasi-single field inflation in terms of turning inflaton trajectory. Large bispectra with a one-parameter family of novel shapes arise, lying between the well-known local and equilateral shape. The trispectra can also be very large and its magnitude tNL can be much larger than fNL2.

title: Eternal Inflation: Prohibited by Quantum Gravity?
abstract: We investigate how eternal inflation is affected by quantum gravity effects. We consider general features of quantum gravity, such as renormalizability, complementarity, minimal length, definition of observables, and weak gravity conjecture. We also consider phenomenological models such as ghost inflation, non-commutative inflation, brane inflation, k-inflation and resonant tunneling. We find that all these features and models do not support eternal inflation. These evidences show hints that eternal inflation is prohibited by quantum gravity.

title: TRACKING PARTICLES THROUGH A GENERAL MAGNETIC FIELD
abstract: A method that tracks particles directly through a general magneticfielddescribedina 3Dfield tablewasaddedto the code elegantrecently. It was realized by convertingan arbitrary particle’s motion to a combination of free-drift motion and centripetal motion through the coordinate system rotation and using a general linear interpolation tool developed at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). This method has been tested by tracking particles through conventional magnetic elements (dipole, sextupole, etc.) to verify reference coordinate system conversions, tracking accuracy, and long-term tracking stability. Results show a very good agreement between this new method and the traditional method. This method is not designed to replace mature traditional methods that have been used in most tracking codes. Rather, it is useful for magnets with complicated field profiles or for studying edge effects.

title: Probing neutrino oscillations jointly in long and very long baseline experiments
abstract: We examine the prospects of making a joint analysis of neutrino oscillations at two baselines with neutrino superbeams. Assuming narrow band superbeams and a 100 kiloton water Cherenkov calorimeter, we calculate the event rates and sensitivities to the matter effect, the signs of the neutrino mass differences, the CP phase, and the mixing angle theta(13). Taking into account all possible experimental errors under general consideration, we explore the optimum cases of a narrow band beam to measure the matter effect and the CP violation effect at all baselines up to 3000 km. We then focus on two specific baselines, a long baseline of 300 km and a very long baseline of 2100 km, and analyze their joint capabilities. We find that the joint analysis can offer extra leverage to resolve some of the ambiguities that are associated with the measurement at a single baseline.

title: Probing the evolution of the dark energy density with future supernova surveys
abstract: The time dependence of the dark energy density can be an important clue to the nature of dark energy in the universe. We show that future supernova data from dedicated telescopes (such as SNAP), when combined with data of nearby supernovae, can be used to determine how the dark energy density ρX(z) depends on redshift, if ρX(z )i s not too closeto a constant. For quantitative comparison, we have done an extensive study of a number of dark energy models. Based on these models we have simulated data sets in order to show that we can indeed reconstruct the correct sign of the time dependence of the dark energy density, outside of a degeneracy region centred on 1 + w0 �− w1zmax/ 3( where zmax is the maximum redshift of the survey; for example, zmax =1 . 7f or SNAP).

title: Gravitational lensing effects on parameter estimation in gravitational wave detection with advanced detectors
abstract: The gravitational lensing effect is important to the detection of electromagnetic signals in astrophysics. The gravitational wave lensing effect has also been found significant to gravitational wave detection in the past decade. Recent analysis shows that the lensing events for advanced detectors could be quite plausible. The black holes in our Milky Way Galaxy may play the role of lens objects. These facts motivate us to study the lensing effects on gravitational wave signals for advanced detectors. Taking advanced LIGO and Einstein Telescope for examples, we investigate the lensing effects on the parameter extraction of gravitational wave signals. Using the Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation together with matched filtering methods, we find that the lensing effect for a lens object with small mass is negligible. But when the mass of the lens object increases to larger than 1000M(circle dot) the lensing effect becomes important. Using the template without lensing corrections would result in loss of signal detections. In contrast if we consider templates with lensing effects, the lensed signal may provide much information about the lens black hole. These facts may give us a new way to determine the parameters of the lensing object. For example, this kind of signal may also help us estimate the mass and the distance of the supermassive black hole hosted at the center of our Galaxy.

title: RECIRCULATING BEAM BREAKUP STUDY FOR THE 12 GEV UPGRADE AT JEFFERSON LAB
abstract: Two new high gradient C100 cryomodules with a total of 16 new cavities were installed at the end of the CEBAF south linac during the 2011 summer shutdown as part of the 12-GeV upgrade project at Jefferson Lab. We surveyed the higher order modes (HOMs) of these cavities in the Jefferson Lab cryomodule test facility and CEBAF tunnel. We then studied recirculating beam breakup (BBU) in November 2011 to evaluate CEBAF low energy performance, measure transport optics, and evaluate BBU thresholds due to these HOMs. This paper discusses the experiment setup, cavity measurements, machine setup, optics measurements, and lower bounds on BBU thresholds by new cryomodules.