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Title: Higgs inflation and quantum corrections
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Abstract:Â Higgs inflation is a model of cosmic inflation where the Higgs field of the Standard Model, coupled non-minimally to gravity, is the inflaton. At tree level, the model’s CMB predictions are well known and compatible with observations. However, when quantum corrections are added, the predictions may change. I give an overview of the model and the calculation of these corrections and discuss some caveats. Then, I focus on two special cases: hilltop inflation, where the quantum corrections produce a local maximum into the potential, and critical point inflation, where a local flat region in the potential may help produce primordial black holes. I compare the predictions of these scenarios to cosmological observations.