Scale of inflation and dark energy

[zeebo17]

I keep reading that the energy scale of inflation is possibly 10²⁴eV, while the energy scale of dark energy is around 10^-3eV.

What exactly are these scales referring to? Is it the energy required to accelerate the universe at the corresponding rates of acceleration? What equations/theories/experimental evidence are used to find these energies?

Thank you!
Abby

 

[Chalnoth]

I keep reading that the energy scale of inflation is possibly 10²⁴eV, while the energy scale of dark energy is around 10^-3eV.

What exactly are these scales referring to? Is it the energy required to accelerate the universe at the corresponding rates of acceleration? What equations/theories/experimental evidence are used to find these energies?

Thank you!
Abby

They're referring to the energy density of the inflaton field and dark energy, respectively.