Inflation and accelerated expansion of the universe

[alvarogz]

Is it possible to relate the inflation of the universe in its early states with the current accelerated expansion of space-time?

 

[cristo]

I'm sure there has been work on using the same scalar field to inflate the universe and to act as dark energy today (I can't think of any references off the top of my head). Here's a link that touches on this point: http://supernova.lbl.gov/~evlinder/defaq.html#infl