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Exact renormalization group evolution of the inflation dynamics: Reconciling α attractors with ACT

Jean Alexandre1,*, Lucien Heurtier1,†, and Silvia Pla2,‡

  • *Contact author: jean.alexandre@kcl.ac.uk
  • †Contact author: lucien.heurtier@kcl.ac.uk
  • ‡Contact author: silvia.pla-garcia@tum.de
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Phys. Rev. D 114, 083512 – Published 7 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/8nxm-tt4b

Abstract

We present a nonperturbative framework for the dynamics of slow-roll inflation that consistently incorporates quantum corrections, based on an alternative functional renormalization group (RG) approach. We derive the coupled Friedmann-RG flow equations governing the joint evolution of spacetime, the inflaton field, and its effective potential. Applying this formalism to α-attractor E-models, we find that the RG flow induces a dynamical destabilization of the inflationary trajectory, leading to a premature termination of slow roll. Remarkably, the resulting predictions bring α attractors into full agreement with the latest Atacama Cosmology Telescope data without introducing new physics beyond a consistent quantum-corrected treatment of the inflaton dynamics.

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Phys. Rev. D 114, 083512– Published 7 October, 2026
  • Received 20 November 2025
  • Accepted 18 September 2026
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