Beginning inflation in an inhomogeneous universe

East, William E.; Kleban, Matthew; Linde, Andrei; Senatore, Leonardo

doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2016/09/010

Beginning inflation in an inhomogeneous universe

Journal Article · Tue Sep 06 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2016/09/010· OSTI ID:1325925

East, William E. ^[1]; Kleban, Matthew ^[2]; Linde, Andrei ^[3]; Senatore, Leonardo ^[4]

SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
New York Univ. (NYU), NY (United States)
Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA (United States)
SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States); Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA (United States)

Using numerical solutions of the full Einstein field equations coupled to a scalar inflaton field in 3+1 dimensions, we study the conditions under which a universe that is initially expanding, highly inhomogeneous and dominated by gradient energy can transition to an inflationary period. If the initial scalar field variations are contained within a sufficiently flat region of the inflaton potential, and the universe is spatially flat or open on average, inflation will occur following the dilution of the gradient and kinetic energy due to expansion. This is the case even when the scale of the inhomogeneities is comparable to the initial Hubble length, and overdense regions collapse and form black holes, because underdense regions continue expanding, allowing inflation to eventually begin. In conclusion, this establishes that inflation can arise from highly inhomogeneous initial conditions and solve the horizon and flatness problems, at least as long as the variations in the scalar field do not include values that exceed the inflationary plateau.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-76SF00515

OSTI ID:: 1325925

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 22572146

Journal Information:: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Journal Issue: 09 Vol. 2016; ISSN 1475-7516

Publisher:: Institute of Physics (IOP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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