Are inflatons the same as fewer gravitons?

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Pjpic
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I'm not very conversant in the subject. But it is my impression that the acceleration of the expansion of the observable universe has generated a theory that there might be a new particle (field?) call the inflaton. On the other hand, I thought I'd heard that scientists were trying to find evidence of gravity leaking off into an heretofore unobserved part of the universe. Wouldn't gravity leaking off have the same effect as inflatons (that is to say accelerate the expansion)? Thanks
 
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Pjpic said:
But it is my impression that the acceleration of the expansion of the observable universe has generated a theory that there might be a new particle (field?) call the inflaton.
No. Inflation in the very early universe and accelerated expansion in the last few billions of years are different things. They might have some deeper, unknown connection, but they are still at completely different scales.
Pjpic said:
On the other hand, I thought I'd heard that scientists were trying to find evidence of gravity leaking off into an heretofore unobserved part of the universe.
Extra dimensions, maybe, if they are exist. That is very speculative.
Pjpic said:
Wouldn't gravity leaking off have the same effect as inflatons (that is to say accelerate the expansion)?
No.