Quantum-field-theoretic analysis of inflation dynamics in a (2+1)-dimensional universe
- Department of Physics, Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville, Missouri (USA)
- Center for Theoretical Physics, Laboratory for Nuclear Science Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA)
- Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts (USA)
We reexamine inflationary scenarios based on slow-rollover transitions, which occur under various initial conditions of the inflation-driving scalar field. We examine inflation dynamics using a recently developed calculational technique for studying a quantum-field-theoretic system in an external environment that is itself changing with time. This method, based on the functional Schroedinger picture, uses a self-consistent Gaussian approximation that, unlike ordinary perturbation theory, reflects some of the nonlinearities of the full quantum theory. Our treatment is confined to planar universes, where the approximation techniques do not suffer from well-known problems associated with scalar field self-interactions in four-dimensional space-time. However, for these toy models we can present concrete and explicit results.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-87ER40325
- OSTI ID:
- 6159348
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (United States), Vol. 44:8; ISSN 0556-2821
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
INFLATIONARY UNIVERSE
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
ENERGY DENSITY
FOUR-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
GAUSSIAN PROCESSES
PERTURBATION THEORY
SCALAR FIELDS
SCHROEDINGER PICTURE
SPACE-TIME
SYMMETRY BREAKING
VACUUM STATES
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
FIELD THEORIES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
662100* - General Theory of Particles & Fields- (1992-)
661100 - Classical & Quantum Mechanics- (1992-)