Why is the inflationary potential self-interacting?

[Apashanka das]

Actually while studying the inflation phenomenon the transition of the slowly rolling scaler field from from the false vacuum to true vacuum state to a more classically stable state
I actually didn't understand this transition from false vacuum to true vacuum and what actually they mean?
Another question why is the inflationary potential is self interacting?

 

[kimbyd]

Actually while studying the inflation phenomenon the transition of the slowly rolling scaler field from from the false vacuum to true vacuum state to a more classically stable state
I actually didn't understand this transition from false vacuum to true vacuum and what actually they mean?

The basic concept is that the vacuum itself is a dynamic entity which can exist in a variety of states. The "true vacuum" is the lowest-energy state possible (think Earth's lowest point: Challenger Deep). A "false vacuum" would be a state which is a local energy minimum (think a valley up high up in the mountains: higher altitude, but have to climb to get out of it). To get out of the false vacuum, one of two things needs to happen:
1. There needs to be enough energy in the region to kick the vacuum out of the local low-energy state.
2. An effect known as quantum tunneling allows the vacuum to spontaneously exit the local energy minimum with some probability. If that happens, then the vacuum ends up in a lower-energy state. The difference in energy between the high-energy vacuum state and the low-energy vacuum state gets dumped into other particles, heating up the universe.

Another question why is the inflationary potential is self interacting?

It's basically defined to be self-interacting. I don't think there's a good explanation for this other than the fact that a self-interacting field is necessary to explain cosmic inflation. If we knew specifically which field drove inflation, we might be able to answer that question more precisely. But for now, all we've got is that that is what's required to explain the phenomenon.

 

[JMz]

Another question why is the inflationary potential is self interacting?

Keep in mind: Inflation is the simplest explanation so far. IF it's correct, then it has certain requirements. But it's not the only explanation, and some people are working on alternatives.

 

[bapowell]

Another question why is the inflationary potential is self interacting?

Do you mean why does the inflaton potential have self-couplings? No fundamental reason that I’m aware of, and it’s not necessary. Phenomenologically it’s an easy way to get a Mexican hat potential, which is prototypical of single field slow roll inflation.