Slow-roll Inflation and Horizon Problem

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    Horizon Inflation
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the horizon problem in cosmology and the concept of slow-roll inflation. It is established that inflation addresses the horizon problem by expanding causally connected regions to sizes larger than the observable universe. The participants clarify that the universe's expansion does not involve exceeding the speed of light, as expansion is characterized by a rate rather than a velocity. Additionally, slow-roll inflation is defined as inflation driven by a scalar field dominated by potential energy, resembling a cosmological constant until the slow-roll condition ceases.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the horizon problem in cosmology
  • Familiarity with inflationary theory and its implications
  • Knowledge of scalar fields and their role in cosmological models
  • Basic grasp of the concepts of potential energy and cosmological constants
NEXT STEPS
  • Read Andrew Liddle's book on cosmology for foundational knowledge
  • Explore Sean Carroll's writings on inflation and the universe
  • Study the mathematical formulation of slow-roll inflation and its implications
  • Investigate the relationship between scalar fields and cosmological expansion
USEFUL FOR

Cosmologists, astrophysicists, and students of theoretical physics seeking to deepen their understanding of inflationary theory and its resolution of the horizon problem.

AHSAN MUJTABA
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TL;DR
We are currently studying the inflation model in cosmology. This implies the universe accelerated expansion in the initial era.
I am a bit confused regarding the concept of the horizon problem. I have studied that the background radiation data implies that the radiations were not in causal contact at the beginning of the universe as from the big bang model. I want to know that how inflation is solving that problem?
To create a causal contact, the universe initially should expand greater than the speed of light, shouldn't it?
Also, I want to know, in simple words, what exactly is slow-roll inflation? Currently, I am following Andrew Liddle's book, but Sean Caroll's would also work.
Thanks.
 
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Inflation solves the problem by expanding causally connected regions to become larger than the observable universe.
AHSAN MUJTABA said:
To create a causal contact, the universe initially should expand greater than the speed of light, shouldn't it?
There is no such thing as "expand greater than the speed of light". The expansion of the universe is an expansion rate, not a speed.

Regarding slow roll inflation, it is difficult to gauge what you would accept as "in simple words". In short, it is an inflation driven by a scalar field that is heavily dominated by its potential energy, thus creating an equation of state that is similar to that of a cosmological constant as long as this holds. You exit the slow roll regime when this is no longer true.
 

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