Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Early galaxies from rare inflationary processes and JWST observations

    Soubhik Kumar1,2,* and Neal Weiner2,3,4,†

    • 1Institute of Cosmology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
    • 2Center for Cosmology and Particle Physics, Department of Physics, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
    • 3Theoretical Physics Department, CERN, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
    • 4Center for Computational Astrophysics, Flatiron Institute, New York, New York 10010, USA

    • *Contact author: soubhik.kumar@tufts.edu
    • †Contact author: neal.weiner@nyu.edu

    Phys. Rev. D 112, 063560 – Published 29 September, 2025

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/ywfw-4rhn

    Abstract

    Rare Poisson processes (PP) during cosmic inflation can lead to signatures that are localized in position space and are not well-captured by the standard two- or higher-point correlation functions of primordial density perturbations. As an example, PP can lead to localized overdense regions that are far denser than the ones produced through standard inflationary fluctuations. As a result, such overdense regions collapse earlier than expected based on the standard ΛCDM model and would host anomalously high-redshift galaxies. We describe some general aspects of such PP and consider a particular realization in the context of inflationary particle production. We then show that the masses and redshifts of the resulting galaxies can lie in a range discoverable by the James Webb Space Telescope and future surveys, while being consistent with existing constraints on the matter power spectrum and UV luminosity functions at lower redshifts.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation