Primordial gravitational waves from spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking

Abstract

We study the effect of Spontaneous Lorentz Symmetry Breaking (SLSB) on Primordial Gravitational Waves (PGWs) generated during inflation. The SLSB is induced by a time-like Bumblebee vector field which is non-minimally coupled to the Ricci tensor in the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker background. The power spectrum and GW amplitude are computed to investigate how Lorentz violation leaves observable imprints. We calculate the GW strain amplitude over frequencies $({10}^{-10}\mathrm{Hz},{10}^4\mathrm{Hz})$, for a range of the dimensionless Lorentz-violating parameter, $-{10}^{-3}\le l\le {10}^{-4}$, which essentially comes from a slight sensitivity to the equation of state for dark energy. For positive l values, the amplitude of GW shows a mild suppression compared to the standard cosmological scenario ($l=0$). This effect could be observable with detectors like SKA, μ-Ares, and BBO. Conversely, negative l values amplify the GW amplitude, enhancing detectability by both SKA, μ-Ares, and BBO, as well as by THEIA and DECIGO. Notably, the GW strain amplitude increases by an order of magnitude as l moves from 0 to $-{10}^{-3}$, improving prospects for detection in high-sensitivity detectors like THEIA and DECIGO.