Quantum field theories warm inflation model that solves the cosmological puzzles

by A. BERERA (Vanderbilt University)

Thursday 23 Sept 1999, 14:00 → 16:30 Europe/Zurich

TH Auditorium (CERN)

Warm inflation is a cosmology in which inflationary expansion is driven by a vacuum energy density component, and in addition there is a subdominant but non-negligible radiation energy density component. The radiation affects the density perturbations and can permit a smooth exit from the inflationary regime into the radiation-dominated regime without an intermediate reheating period. I will first present a pedagogical review of both the cosmology and quantum field theory dynamics of warm inflation. Then a specific quantum field theory model will be discussed and solutions will be presented to the horizon, flatness and scalar density perturbation problems. Finally a string theory interpretation of this model will be discussed.