Constraints on supersymmetric hybrid inflation models

We point out that the inclusion of a string component contributing around 5% to the CMB power spectrum amplitude on large scales can increase the preferred value of the spectral index n_s of density fluctuations measured by CMB experiments. While this finding applies to any cosmological scenario involving strings, we consider in particular models of supersymmetric hybrid inflation, which predict n_s >= 0.98, in tension with the CMB data when strings are not included. Using MCMC analysis we constrain the parameter space allowed for F- and D-term inflation. For the F-term model, using minimal supergravity corrections, we find that logκ= -2.34± 0.38 and M= (0.518± 0.059) * 10^16 GeV. The inclusion of non-minimal supergravity corrections can modify these values somewhat. In the corresponding analysis for D-term inflation, we find logκ= -4.24± 0.19 and m_FI= (0.245± 0.031) * 10^16 GeV. Under the assumption that these models are correct, these results represent precision measurements of important parameters of a Grand Unified Theory. We consider the possible uncertainties in our measurements and additional constraints on the scenario from the stochastic background of gravitational waves produced by the strings. The best-fitting model predicts a B-mode polarization signal ≈ 0.3 μ K rms peaking at l ≈ 1000. This is of comparable amplitude to the expected signal due to gravitational lensing of the adiabatic E-mode signal on these scales.