Running of the scalar spectral index and observational signatures of inflation

Some of the consequences for inflationary cosmology of a scale dependence (running) in the tilt of the scalar perturbation spectrum are considered. In the limit where the running is itself approximately scale-invariant, a relationship is found between the scalar and tensor perturbation amplitudes, the scalar spectral index and its running. This relationship is independent of the functional form of the inflaton potential. More general settings, including that of braneworld cosmological models, are also considered. It is found that for the Randall-Sundrum single braneworld scenario, the corresponding relation between the observables takes precisely the same form as that arising in the standard cosmology. Some implications of the observations failing to satisfy such a relationship are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.