Suppressing Extra-Dimensional Axion Isocurvature Dynamically

arXiv:2607.09969 · hep-ph, astro-ph.CO, hep-th · Submitted 2026-07-10 · Read on arXiv

Gongjun Choi, Tony Gherghetta

hep-ph, astro-ph.CO, hep-th

Submitted: 2026-07-10

Comments: 11 pages, 3 figures

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

The gist: Extra-dimensional QCD axion is well motivated by string compactifications and enjoys enhanced protection against quality-violating effects.

Terminology

Abstract

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.

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