Modulated inflation models and primordial black holes

Abstract

For the first time, the running of the running of the spectral index β_s has been measured by Planck. This parameter is crucial for dark matter primordial black holes (PBHs) formation. We study the PBHs formation in inflation potentials with superimposed periodic oscillations. We show that the value of β_s suggested by the recent cosmic microwave background data is easily explained in these models. As a by-product, we also show that the nonproduction of (long-lived) PBHs puts a stronger upper bound on β_s.