Axions Reloaded: From Particle Physics to Inflation

Abstract

Axions form a unique bridge between particle physics and cosmology, as their properties make them suitable to solve the strong CP problem and serve as candidate inflaton fields. In this talk, the speaker focuses on various set-ups in Type II superstring theory with intersecting D-branes realising supersymmetric DFSZ axion models and discusses mixing effects among axions allowing for large field inflation.