A minimal gauge inflation model

In this paper, we present a gauge inflation model based on the orbifold M₄×S¹/Z₂ with non-Abelian SU(2) gauge symmetry, which is probably the simplest model in this category. As the inflaton potential is fully radiatively generated exclusively by gauge self-interactions, the model is predictive; thus, it is protected by gauge symmetry itself, without the introduction of any additional matter fields or arbitrary interactions. We show that the model fully agrees with the recent cosmological observations within the controlled perturbative regime of gauge interactions, g₄ ? 1/(2πRM_P), with the compactification radius (10 ? RM_P ? 100):the expected magnitude of the curvature perturbation power spectrum and the value of the corresponding spectral index are in perfect agreement with the recent observations. The model also predicts a large fraction of the gravitational waves, negligible non-Gaussianity, and a sufficiently high reheating temperature.