How long before the end of inflation were observable perturbations produced?

2003/05/31 by Andrew R. Liddle, Andrew R Liddle, S. Leach +1 · 21 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Cosmology #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Inflation (cosmology) #Lambda #Limit (mathematics) #Mathematical analysis #Mathematics #Observable #Physics #Quantum mechanics #Statistics #Theoretical physics #Value (mathematics) #astro-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.68.103503

published as Phys.Rev. D68 (2003) 103503 · 7 pages RevTeX4 file with one figure incorporated. Minor updates to match version accepted by Physical Review D

arxiv created 2003/09/11 · openalex publication_date 2003/11/11 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

We reconsider the issue of the number of e-foldings before the end of inflation at which observable perturbations were generated. We determine a plausible upper limit on that number for the standard cosmology which is around 60, with the expectation that the actual value will be up to 10 below this. We also note a special property of the \ensuremathλ\ensuremathφ⁴ model which reduces the uncertainties in that case and favors a higher value, giving a fairly definite prediction of 64 e-foldings for that model. We note an extreme (and highly implausible) situation where the number of e-foldings can be even higher, possibly up to 100, and discuss the shortcomings of quantifying inflation by e-foldings rather than by the change in aH. Finally, we discuss the impact of nonstandard evolution between the end of inflation and the present, showing that again the expected number of e-foldings can be modified, and in some cases significantly increased.

Citations

• Cosmological implications of dynamical supersymmetry breaking
• An Alternative to Compactification
• Steep inflation: Ending braneworld inflation by gravitational particle production

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