Can non-Gaussian fluctuations for structure formation arise from inflation

Conference · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5990481

Salopek, D S

Non-Guassian fluctuation for structure formation may be generated during the inflationary epoch from the nonlinear interaction of two scalar fields with gravity. Semi-analytical calculations are given describing nonlinear long wavelength evolution in 3 + 1 dimensions. Long wavelength fields are governed by a single equation, the separated Hamilton-Jacobi equation (SHJE). I discuss complete analytic solutions of the SHJE for two scalar fields with a potential whose logarithm 1n V ({phi}{sub j}) is linear. More complicated potential surfaces may be approximated by continuously joining various linear 1n V({phi}{sub j}) potentials. Typically, non-Gaussian fluctuations arise when one passes over several sharp ridges in the potential surface. One can input this richer class of initial conditions into N-body codes to see the effects on the large scale structure in the Universe. The cleanest test of non-Gaussian fluctuations will hopefully occur in the near future from large angle microwave background anisotropy experiments. 13 refs., 3 figs.

• Research Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Lab., Batavia, IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; NASA; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA); National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03000
• OSTI ID: 5990481
• Report Number(s): FNAL/C-91/53-A; CONF-901282--1; ON: DE91009458; CNN: NAGW-1340
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
FLUCTUATIONS
GRAVITATION
HAMILTON-JACOBI EQUATIONS
HUBBLE EFFECT
INFLATIONARY UNIVERSE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
SCALAR FIELDS
TESTING
TRAJECTORIES
VARIATIONS