  We consider a scenario in which the inflaton $\phi$ is a pseudoscalar field
non-minimally coupled to gravity through a term of the form ${\cal X} R
\phi^2$. The pseudoscalar is also coupled to a $U(1)$ gauge field (or an
ensemble of ${\cal N}$ gauge fields) through an axial coupling of the form
$\phi F \tilde{F}$. After M. M. Anber and L. Sorbo, Phys. Rev. D 81, 043534
(2010), Ref. [1], it is well known that this axial coupling leads to a
production of gauge particles which acts as a friction term in the dynamics of
the inflaton, producing a slow-roll regime even in presence of a steep
potential. A remarkable result in this scenario, is that the spectrum of the
chiral gravitational waves sourced by the scalar-gauge field interplay can be
enhanced due to the non-minimal coupling with gravity, leading to measurable
signatures, while maintaining agreement with current observational constraints
on $n_s$ and $r$. The inclusion of non-minimal coupling could be helpful to
alleviate tensions with non-Gaussianity bounds in models including axial
couplings.
