Prospects for observing subhorizon preinflation fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background

Journal Article · Fri Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.44.3072· OSTI ID:5995126

Kurki-Suonio, H; Graziani, F; Mathews, G J ^[1]

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1. University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California (USA)

We consider constraints on preinflation subhorizon fluctuations in a chaotic inflationary model. The requirement that the energy density in the fluctuating field not exceed the Planck scale limits the amplitude of the fluctuations. The requirement that the preinflation fluctuations have a presently observable amplitude that is at least comparable to the quantum fluctuations generated during inflation constrains the length scale of the fluctuations. We show that in order for preinflation fluctuations to be observable above the background due to quantum fluctuations generated during inflation, they must have a scale at least comparable to the preinflation Hubble length. Unless {Omega}{sub 0}{gt}0.94, such fluctuations could be observable in the present microwave background with a wavelength less than the present observed horizon.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5995126
• Journal Information: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (United States) Vol. 44:10; ISSN PRVDA; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661300* -- Other Aspects of Physical Science-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKGROUND RADIATION
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY DENSITY
FLUCTUATIONS
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
HUBBLE EFFECT
INFLATIONARY UNIVERSE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
PERTURBATION THEORY
RADIATIONS
UNIVERSE
VARIATIONS