Inflation models in the light of self-interacting sterile neutrinos
  Short baseline neutrino experiments, like LSND and MiniBooNE experiments,
pointed towards the existence of eV mass scale sterile neutrinos. To reconcile
sterile neutrinos with cosmology self interaction between sterile neutrinos has
been studied. We analysed Planck cosmic microwave background (CMB) data with
self-interacting sterile neutrino (SI$\nu$) and study their impact on inflation
models. The fit to the CMB data in SI$\nu$ model is as good as the fit to
$\Lambda$CDM model. We find that the spectral index ($n_s$) values shift to
$0.9361\pm 0.0055$ in SI$\nu$ model. This has significant impact on the
validity of different inflation models. For example the Starobinsky and quartic
hilltop model, which were allowed within $\Lambda$CDM cosmology, are ruled out.
On the other hand some models like natural and Coleman-Weinberg inflation are
now favoured. Therefore, the existence of self interacting sterile neutrinos
with eV order of mass will play an important role in the selection of correct
inflation model.
