How likely are constituent quanta to initiate inflation?

DOI10.1016/J.PHYSLETB.2015.08.007zbMATH Open1364.83064arXiv1504.01730OpenAlexW358087016WikidataQ60152582 ScholiaQ60152582MaRDI QIDQ2396550FDOQ2396550

Mark Trodden, L. Berezhiani

Publication date: 8 June 2017

Published in: Physics Letters B (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We propose an intuitive framework for studying the problem of initial conditions in slow-roll inflation. In particular, we consider a universe at high, but sub-Planckian energy density and analyze the circumstances under which it is plausible for it to become dominated by inflated patches at late times, without appealing to the idea of self-reproduction. Our approach is based on defining a prior probability distribution for the constituent quanta of the pre-inflationary universe. To test the idea that inflation can begin under very generic circumstances, we make specific -- yet quite general and well grounded -- assumptions on the prior distribution. As a result, we are led to the conclusion that the probability for a given region to ignite inflation at sub-Planckian densities is extremely small. Furthermore, if one chooses to use the enormous volume factor that inflation yields as an appropriate measure, we find that the regions of the universe which started inflating at densities below the self-reproductive threshold nevertheless occupy a negligible physical volume in the present universe as compared to those domains that have never inflated.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1504.01730

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Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Relativistic cosmology (83F05)

Cites Work

• A new type of isotropic cosmological models without singularity
• Inflationary universe: A possible solution to the horizon and flatness problems
• Wave function of the Universe

Cited In (11)

• Primordial gravitational waves and perturbations during an inhomogeneous inflation
• Robustness of inflation to inhomogeneous initial conditions
• The role of fluctuation-dissipation dynamics in setting initial conditions for inflation
• Does inflation provide natural initial conditions for the universe
• The effects of potential shape on inhomogeneous inflation
• Bouncing cosmologies: progress and problems
• Features and new physical scales in primordial observables: Theory and observation
• String gas cosmology after Planck
• Inhomogeneous initial data and small-field inflation
• Cyclic completion of the anamorphic universe
• A relativistic gas of inflatons as an initial state for inflation

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