Inflaton

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This article is about a particle/quantum field used in inflation (cosmology), which is part of physical cosmology. For a general rise in the level of prices, see inflation. For other uses of "inflation", see inflation (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Instanton.

According to inflation theory, the inflaton is a hypothetical scalar field (and, as with most quantum fields, an individual quantised particle for this field will also be called an "inflaton") that are hypothesized to be responsible for cosmic inflation in the very early universe.[1][2] The field provides a mechanism by which a period of rapid expansion from 10−35 to 10−34 seconds after the initial expansion can be generated, forming the universe.

The basic process of inflation consists of three steps:

  • Prior to the expansion period, the inflaton field was at a higher-energy state.
  • Random quantum fluctuations triggered a phase transition whereby the inflaton field released its potential energy as matter and radiation as it settled to its lowest-energy state.
  • This action generated a repulsive force that drove the portion of the universe that is observable to us today to expand from approximately 10−50 metres in radius at 10−35 seconds to almost 1 metre in radius at 10−34 seconds.

The inflaton field's lowest energy state may or may not be a zero energy state. This depends on the chosen potential energy density of the field.

The term Inflaton is a crossover between the word "inflation" and the typical naming style of other quantum fields such as photon, gluon, boson and fermion.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Steinhardt, Paul J.; Turok, Neil (2007). Endless Universe: Beyond the Bang. Random House. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-7679-1501-4. 
  2. ↑ Steinhardt, Paul J. (April 2011). "Inflation Debate: Is the theory at the heart of modern cosmology deeply flawed?". Scientific American. 
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