We propose an inflation model in which the inflationary era is driven by the strong dynamics of Sp(2) gauge theory. The quark condensation in the confined phase of Sp(2) gauge theory generates the inflaton potential comparable to the energy of the thermal bath at the time of phase transition. Afterwards, with a super-Planckian field value at the global minimum, the inflation commences at a false vacuum region lying between true vacuum regions and hence the name “topological inflation.” Featured by the huge separation between the scale of the false vacuum (V(0)1/4∼1015GeV) and the field value at the global minimum (ϕmin∼MP), the model can be consistent with cosmic microwave background (CMB) observables without suffering from the initial condition problems. Crucially, this is achieved only with some mild tuning of parameters in V(ϕ). In addition to Sp(2), this model is based on an anomaly free Z6R discrete R symmetry. Remarkably, while all parameters are fixed by CMB observations, the model predicts a hierarchy of energy scales including the inflation scale, supersymmetry-breaking scale, R-symmetry breaking scale, Higgsino mass and the right-handed neutrino mass given in terms of the dynamical scale of Sp(2).

• Received 25 April 2022
• Accepted 19 January 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.107.036005

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Published by the American Physical Society