The effects of potential shape on inhomogeneous inflation
Josu C. Aurrekoetxea, Katy Clough, Raphael Flauger, Eugene A. Lim
Abstract
We study the robustness of single-field inflation against inhomogeneities. We derive a simple analytic criterion on the shape of the potential for successful inflation in the presence of inhomogeneities, and demonstrate its validity using full 3+1 dimensional numerical relativity simulations on several classes of popular models of single-field inflation. We find that models with convex potentials are more robust to inhomogeneities than those with concave potentials, and that concave potentials that vary on super-Planckian scales are significantly more robust than those that vary on sub-Planckian scales.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsInflation (cosmology)Robustness (evolution)Statistical physicsGeneral relativityRegular polygonTheoretical physicsCosmologyClassical mechanicsSimple (philosophy)Quantum mechanicsGeometryMathematicsEpistemologyPhilosophyChemistryBiochemistryGeneCosmology and Gravitation TheoriesGeophysics and Gravity MeasurementsGalaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena