The discussion centers on the interaction between inflatons and gravity, particularly during the early universe and the current expansion of the observable universe. It highlights that inflatons dominate when gravity is both strong, as immediately after the Big Bang, and weak, as in the present-day expansion. Guth's theory introduces a repulsive form of gravity during inflation, which decays into particles post-inflation. Current models utilize General Relativity, where the inflaton's stress-energy tensor plays a crucial role, but the exact nature of gravity's influence during inflation remains ambiguous.
PREREQUISITESAstronomers, cosmologists, and theoretical physicists interested in the dynamics of the early universe and the mechanisms driving cosmic expansion.
Current models typically make use of General Relativity, with the stress-energy tensor during inflation dominated by the inflaton. That is, inflation models have no change in gravity at all, and the inflaton interacts with gravity just like everything else: through energy, momentum, pressure, and twisting forces.Pjpic said:Is the theory that inflatons become dominate when gravity is strong (as in right after the big band) and when gravity is weak (as in driving the current expansion of the observable universe)?
Chronos said:Matter had not yet come into existence at the time of inflation, so the role of gravity during inflation is not entirely clear. Guth suggests a special case of gravity during inflation - a repulsive form that drives inflation. In his version the energy driving inflation decays into the hot particle soup of the classical big bang.
Nope. The inflaton field is a bizarre creature with an unusual stress-energy content. In particular, p \propto -\rho: it is a perfect fluid with a negative pressure. In the limit that p = -\rho/3, the density \rho is constant.Pjpic said:a) The density of a black hole doesn't create the same effect?
Do you mean the current accelerated expansion? Nobody knows because we lack a well-understood and well-supported model describing this accelerated expansion.b) Does the energy driving the current expansion decay into particles?