Distinguishing Higgs inflation and its variants

We consider how Higgs inflation can be observationally distinguished from variants based on gauge singlet scalar extensions of the standard model, in particular, where the inflaton is a nonminimally coupled gauge singlet scalar (S-inflation). We show that radiative corrections generally cause the spectral index n to decrease relative to the classical value as the Higgs mass is increased if the Higgs boson is the inflaton, whereas n increases with increasing Higgs mass if the inflaton is a gauge singlet scalar. The accuracy to which n can be calculated in these models depends on how precisely the reheating temperature can be determined. The number of Einstein frame e-foldings N is similar in both models, with N≈58--61 for singlet inflation compared with N≈57--60 for Higgs inflation. This allows the spectral index to be calculated to an accuracy Δn=±0.001. Provided the Higgs mass is above ≈135 GeV, a combination of a Higgs mass measurement and a precise determination of n will enable Higgs inflation and S-inflation to be distinguished.