Inflaton after chaotic inflation

In summary, the conversation discusses the behavior of the inflaton field during chaotic inflation and its relation to the slow roll conditions and the equation of motion. The participants also mention the difference between chaotic and eternal inflation, with the latter being ongoing in some regions of the universe. Finally, a solution for the behavior of the inflaton during the preheating phase is proposed and further resources on the topic are suggested.
  • #1
pleasehelpmeno
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Can anyone explain to me why after chaotic inflation with [itex]V=\frac{1}{2}m^2 \phi^2 [/itex] that the inflaton behaves as;
[itex]\phi=\frac{m_p}{m \sqrt{3\pi}t} \sin(mt)[/itex].

because this doesn't satify the slow roll conditions or the eqn of motion for the inflaton. I have read that it asymptotically approaches ths for large mt but i don't really understand it.
thx
 
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  • #2
  • #3
I think i have actually solved it anyway, although feedback would be good.

The wiki article is misleading eternal and chaotic inflation aren't the same things.

Chaotic inflation ends when Slow roll ends and it is at this point the inflaton oscillates around the minima of the potential and we are in the 'reheating' phase. I found that the period is matter dom in 'preheating' and rad dom in traditional 'reheating' so using that and the eqn:
[itex] \ddot{\phi} + 3H\dot{\phi} + m^2 \phi [/itex] one can sub in the sinusoidal value and that show that it is a solution for this preheating phase.
 
  • #4
  • #5
Chaotic and eternal inflation are not necessarily exclusive terms -- they describe different aspects of the inflationary peroid. Saying that inflation is "chaotic" is to say something about the initial conditions of the inflaton field. In Linde's original chaotic inflation model based on the [itex]m^2\phi^2[/itex] potential, the field takes on a wide range of values throughout the universe. This is to be contrasted with 'new', or 'hilltop' inflation in which the field begins inflation fairly localized at the local maximum of the potential. Linde described this property as "chaotic".

Meanwhile, the term "eternal" describes the global properties of the inflationary era. Of course inflation was not eternal in our observable universe, because we stopped inflating. But it's entirely possible that inflation is ongoing somewhere else in the universe -- outside our Hubble sphere. Linde's chaotic model is in fact eternal, in the sense that one finds that there are regions of the universe that are always still inflating (depending on the field vev, [itex]\langle \phi \rangle[/itex], quantum fluctuations are large enough to work against the classical slow roll motion towards [itex]V=0[/itex], so that certain regions of the universe always have [itex]\langle \phi \rangle > a\, few\, M_{Pl}[/itex] so that inflation keeps going.)

But there are also regions of the universe where the [itex]m^2\phi^2[/itex] finds its way down close enough to [itex]V=0[/itex] to end inflation. At that time, the field oscillates about the minimum of V, giving the time dependence [itex]\phi(t) \propto \sin(mt)[/itex] quoted by the OP.

So chaotic inflation is eternal, but that's not inconsistent with the fact that we live in a region of the universe in which inflation ended.
 

1. What is inflaton in the context of chaotic inflation?

Inflaton is a hypothetical scalar field that is responsible for driving the rapid expansion of the universe during the chaotic inflation period. It is postulated to have a large potential energy density that decreases as the universe expands.

2. How does the inflaton field behave during chaotic inflation?

During chaotic inflation, the inflaton field undergoes rapid and chaotic oscillations as it rolls down its potential energy hill. These oscillations eventually slow down and the field settles at the minimum of its potential, ending the inflationary period.

3. What role does the inflaton field play in generating primordial density fluctuations?

The inflaton field is believed to be the source of primordial density fluctuations, which are tiny variations in the density of matter in the early universe. These fluctuations are responsible for the formation of galaxies and other large-scale structures we see in the universe today.

4. How does the concept of "slow-roll" apply to the inflaton field?

During chaotic inflation, the inflaton field is said to be undergoing "slow-roll", which means that it is slowly rolling down its potential energy hill. This slow-roll behavior is necessary for inflation to occur, as it allows the universe to expand at an accelerated rate.

5. How does the inflaton field relate to the concept of reheating?

After the inflationary period ends, the inflaton field still has a large amount of potential energy. This energy is eventually converted into particles through a process called reheating, which marks the beginning of the hot Big Bang phase of the universe.

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