Inflation without potential (Q1596284)

The authors study the so-called \(k\)-inflation for a flat universe, provided by noncanonical kinetic terms in the action of a scalar field without potential. The Lagrangian density for the scalar field is assumed to take the form, \(L_{M} = p(\varphi,X)\), where \(X \equiv (\nabla\varphi)^{2}/2\). Then, the equation of motion is cast into the form \[ \dot{\varepsilon} = -3\varepsilon^{1/2}(\varepsilon + p),\tag{\(*\)} \] where \(\varepsilon\) denotes the energy density of the scalar field. This equation is investigated in some detail for certain forms of \(p(\varphi, X)\), chosen specifically as follows: (1) \(p(\varphi, X) = X^{2} - K(\varphi)X\). In this case, the authors show that a slow-roll \(k\)-inflation exists, provided that the condition \(K'(\varphi)K^{-3/2}(\varphi) \ll 1\) holds. During its evolution, when the scalar field reaches a region where this condition is violated, inflation is assumed to end. (2) \( p(\varphi, X) = {g(X)}{\varphi^{-2}}\). For this choice, it is shown that power-law \(k\)-inflation of the kind \(a(t) \sim t^{\beta}\) exists with \(\beta \equiv 3g_{,X }(X_{0})/2 \), by properly choosing \(g(X)\) such that \(\beta > 1\), where \(a(t)\) denotes the cosmic scale factor and \(X_{0}\) is a solution of \((*)\). The authors argue that the exit from such a phase can be arranged by changing the dependence of \(p(\varphi, X)\) in some range of values of \(\varphi\). When \(g_{,X }(X_{0}) < 0\), it is shown that pole-like \(k\)-inflation exists with \(a(t) \sim (-t)^{\beta}\), but now \(t\in (-\infty, 0)\). However, in contrast to power-law \(k\)-inflation, it is impossible to exit such a pole-like \(k\)-inflation phase. The perturbations of the above models are also considered, and in particular, the power spectra of the temperature fluctuations and gravitational waves are given.