WAS COSMIC INFLATION THE 'BANG' OF THE BIG BANG?

A. Guth
Published in "The Beamline" 27, 14 (1997).

http://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/level /!uth/!uth1.html

1. INTRODUCTION
Two thousand years after Lucretius proclaimed that nothing can be created from nothing, inflationary cosmology asserts that he was wrong. "#$% &% 'B()*+$ +*((,&% -$T$'+'.'!,(T named &le/ande0 10iedmann p02p2sed, in 1922, that the *nive0se mi3ht be e/pandin3, &lbe0t $instein 4as su0e that he 4as 402n3. 1ive 5ea0s ea0lie0 $instein had published a static m2del 26 the *nive0se, and he 4as still c2nvinced that it 4as c200ect. ,n a 0a0e but d0amatic blunde0, $instein b2lste0ed his un62unded belie6s 4ith an e002ne2us calculati2n, and 6i0ed 266 a n2te t2 the Zeitschrift fur Physik claimin3 that 10iedmann7s the205 vi2lated the c2nse0vati2n 26 ene035. $i3ht m2nths late0, h24eve0, a6te0 a visit 602m a c2llea3ue 26 10iedmann7s, $instein admitted his mista8e and published a 0et0acti2n. The e9uati2ns 26 3ene0al 0elativit5 d2, he c2nceded, all24 620 the p2ssibilit5 26 an e/pandin3 unive0se. T2da5 the Bi3 Ban3 the205, 4hich be3an 4ith 10iedmann7s calculati2ns in 1922, has bec2me the accepted vie4 26 c2sm2l235. The e/pansi2n 26 the *nive0se 4as 6i0st 2bse0ved in the ea0l5 192:s b5 ;est2 -elvin (liphe0, and in 1929 4as c2di6ied b5 $d4in #ubble int2 4hat 4e n24 8n24 as "#ubble7s .a4": 2n ave0a3e, each distant 3ala/5 is 0ecedin3 602m us 4ith a vel2cit5 that is p02p20ti2nal t2 its distance. ,n 19< &0n2 Pen=ias and +2be0t "ils2n detected a bac8302und 26 mic024ave 0adiati2n a00ivin3 at $a0th 602m all di0ecti2ns > the a6te03l24 26 the p0im20dial h2t, dense 6i0eball. T2da5 4e 8n24, based 2n data 602m the Cosmic Background E plorer ()'B$) satellite (see Beam Line, ;2l. 2?, %2. ?, 1all/"inte0 199?), that the spect0um 26 this bac8302und 0adiati2n a30ees 4ith e/9uisite p0ecisi2n > t2 1/?: 26 1 pe0cent > 4ith the the0mal spect0um e/pected 620 the 3l24 26 h2t matte0 in the ea0l5 *nive0se. ,n additi2n, calculati2ns 26 nucle2s5nthesis in the ea0l5 unive0se sh24 that the Bi3 Ban3 the205 can c200ectl5 acc2unt 620 the c2smic abundance 26 the li3ht nuclea0 is2t2pes: h5d023en, deute0ium, helium>?, helium>4, and lithium>7. (#eavie0 elements, 4e believe, 4e0e s5nthesi=ed much late0, in the inte0i20 26 sta0s, and 4e0e then e/pl2sivel5 e@ected int2 inte0stella0 space.) Aespite the st0i8in3 successes 26 the Bi3 Ban3 the205, the0e is 322d 0eas2n t2 believe that the the205 in its t0aditi2nal 620m is inc2mplete. &lth2u3h it is called the "Bi3 Ban3 the205," it is n2t 0eall5 the the205 26 a ban3 at all. ,t is 2nl5 the the205 26 the aftermath 26 a ban3. ,t ele3antl5 desc0ibes h24 the ea0l5 *nive0se e/panded and c22led, and h24 matte0 clumped t2 620m 3ala/ies and sta0s. But the the205 sa5s n2thin3 ab2ut the unde0l5in3 ph5sics 26 the p0im20dial e/pl2si2n. ,t 3ives n2t even a clue ab2ut 4hat ban3ed, 4hat caused it t2 ban3, 20 4hat happened be620e it ban3ed. The in6lati2na05 unive0se the205, 2n the 2the0 hand, is a desc0ipti2n 26 the ban3 itsel6, and p02vides plausible ans4e0s t2 these 9uesti2ns and m20e.

2. A VERY SPECIAL BANG

!nflation is a wildfire that will ine"itably take o"er the forest, as long as there is some chance that it will start.

)2uld the Bi3 Ban3 have been caused b5 a c2l2ssal stic8 26 T%T, 20 pe0haps a the0m2nuclea0 e/pl2si2nB '0 ma5be a 3i3antic ball 26 matte0 c2llided 4ith a 3i3antic ball 26 antimatte0, 0eleasin3 an unt2ld am2unt 26 ene035 in a p24e06ul c2smic blast. ,n 6act, n2ne 26 these scena0i2s can plausibl5 acc2unt 620 the Bi3 Ban3 that sta0ted 2u0 *nive0se, 4hich had t42 ve05 special 6eatu0es distin3uishin3 it 602m an5 t5pical e/pl2si2n. 1i0st, the Bi3 Ban3 4as 6a0 m20e h2m23ene2us, 2n la03e scales, than can be e/plained b5 an 20dina05 e/pl2si2n. ,n discussin3 h2m23eneit5, h24eve0, , must 6i0st cla0i65 that the *nive0se is in man5 4a5s c2nspicu2usl5 inh2m23ene2us. Pal2 &lt2 is ve05 di66e0ent 602m (an 10ancisc2, and the sta0s, 3ala/ies, and cluste0s 26 3ala/ies a0e scatte0ed th02u3h space in a lump5, c2mple/ patte0n. )2sm2l23icall5 spea8in3, h24eve0, all this st0uctu0e is small>scale. "e can 62cus 2n the la03e scales, 620 e/ample, b5 dividin3 space int2 cubes 26 ?:: milli2n li3ht>5ea0s 20 m20e 2n a side. "e 42uld 6ind that each such cube cl2sel5 0esembles the 2the0s in all its ave0a3e p02pe0ties, such as mass densit5, 3ala/5 densit5, and li3ht 2utput. This la03e>scale uni620mit5 can be seen in 3ala/5 su0ve5s, but the m2st d0amatic evidence c2mes 602m the c2smic bac8302und 0adiati2n. Aata 602m the )'B$ satellite, c2n6i0med b5 subse9uent 302und>based 2bse0vati2ns, sh24 that this 0adiati2n has the same tempe0atu0e in all di0ecti2ns (a6te0 c200ectin3 620 the m2ti2n 26 the $a0th) t2 an accu0ac5 26 2ne pa0t in 1::,:::. T2 see h24 di66icult it is t2 e/plain this uni620mit5 as the 0esult 26 an 20dina05 e/pl2si2n, 4e need t2 8n24 a little ab2ut the hist205 26 the c2smic bac8302und 0adiati2n. The ea0l5 *nive0se 4as s2 h2t that elect02ns 42uld have been 0ipped a4a5 602m at2ms, 0esultin3 in a plasma that 6illed space. (uch a plasma is ve05 2pa9ue, s2 the ph2t2ns that n24 ma8e up the c2smic bac8302und 0adiati2n 4e0e c2nstantl5 abs20bed and 0e>emitted. &6te0 ab2ut ?::,::: 5ea0s, h24eve0, the *nive0se c22led en2u3h 620 the plasma t2 620m a 3as 26 neut0al at2ms, 4hich is ve05 t0anspa0ent. The ph2t2ns 26 the c2smic bac8302und 0adiati2n have t0aveled 2n st0ai3ht lines eve0 since, s2 the5 p02vide t2da5 an ima3e 26 the *nive0se at an a3e 26 ?::,::: 5ea0s, @ust as the ph2t2ns 0eachin3 52u0 e5e at this m2ment p02vide an ima3e 26 the pa3e in 602nt 26 52u. Thus, the 2bse0vati2ns 26 the c2smic bac8302und 0adiati2n sh24 that the *nive0se 4as uni620m in tempe0atu0e, t2 2ne pa0t in 1::,:::, at an a3e 26 seve0al hund0ed th2usand 5ea0s. *nde0 man5 ci0cumstances such uni620mit5 42uld be eas5 t2 unde0stand, since an5thin3 4ill c2me t2 a uni620m tempe0atu0e i6 le6t undistu0bed 620 a l2n3 en2u3h time. ,n the standa0d Bi3 Ban3 the205, h24eve0, the *nive0se ev2lves s2 9uic8l5 that the0e is n2 time 620 the uni620mit5 t2 be established. 'ne can p0etend, 620 the sa8e 26 discussi2n, that the *nive0se is p2pulated b5 little pu0ple c0eatu0es, each e9uipped 4ith a 6u0nace and a 0e60i3e0at20, and each dedicated t2 the cause 26 c0eatin3 a uni620m tempe0atu0e. Th2se little c0eatu0es, h24eve0, 42uld have t2 c2mmunicate at 02u3hl5 1:: times the speed 26 li3ht i6 the5 a0e t2 achieve thei0 32al 26 c0eatin3 a uni620m tempe0atu0e ac02ss the visible *nive0se b5 ?::,::: 5ea0s a6te0 the Bi3 Ban3. (ince neithe0 stic8s 26 d5namite n20 balls 26 matte0 and antimatte0 can t0ansmit thei0 ene035 6aste0 than li3ht, the5 cann2t acc2unt 620 the uni620mit5. The classical 620m 26 the Bi3 Ban3 the205 0e9ui0es us t2 p2stulate, 4ith2ut e/planati2n, that the p0im20dial 6i0eball 6illed space 602m the be3innin3. The tempe0atu0e 4as the same eve054he0e by assumption, n2t as a c2nse9uence 26 an5 ph5sical p02cess. This sh20tc2min3 is 8n24n as the "h20i=2n p02blem," since c2sm2l23ists use the 420d "h20i=2n" t2 indicate the la03est distance that in620mati2n 20 ene035 c2uld have t0ave0sed since the instant 26 the Bi3 Ban3, 3iven the 0est0icti2n 26 the speed 26 li3ht. The sec2nd special 6eatu0e 26 the Bi3 Ban3, 4hich is ve05 di66icult t2 ima3ine a0isin3 602m a standa0d e/pl2si2n, is a 0ema08able c2incidence called the "6latness p02blem." This p02blem c2nce0ns the pinp2int p0ecisi2n 4ith 4hich the mass densit5 26 the ea0l5 *nive0se must be speci6ied 620 the Bi3 Ban3 the205 t2 a30ee 4ith 0ealit5. 1i0st, 4e need t2 0evie4 a little v2cabula05. ,6 the mass densit5 26 the *nive0se e/ceeds a value called the critical density, then 30avit5 4ill be st02n3 en2u3h t2 0eve0se the e/pansi2n eventuall5, causin3 the *nive0se t2 0ec2llapse int2 4hat is s2metimes called the big crunch. ,6 the mass densit5

is less than the c0itical value, the *nive0se 4ill 32 2n e/pandin3 620eve0. The 0ati2 26 the actual mass densit5 t2 the c0itical value is 8n24n t2 c2sm2l23ists b5 the !0ee8 lette0 2me3a ( ). !ene0al 0elativit5 implies that the 3e2met05 26 the *nive0se is $uclidean 2nl5 i6 2me3a is 2ne, s2 an C1 unive0se is called "6lat" (see b2/ 2n the 0i3ht). 'me3a is ve05 di66icult t2 dete0mine, but it is sa6e t2 sa5 that its p0esent value lies s2me4he0e in the 0an3e 26 :.1 t2 2. That seems li8e a b02ad 0an3e, but c2nside0ati2n 26 the time devel2pment 26 the *nive0se leads t2 a spectacula0l5 di66e0ent p2int 26 vie4. C 1 is an unstable e9uilib0ium p2int 26 c2sm2l23ical ev2luti2n, 4hich means that it 0esembles the situati2n 26 a pencil balancin3 2n its sha0pened tip. The ph0ase e9uilib0ium p2int implies that i6 2me3a is eve0 e/actl5 e9ual t2 2ne, it 4ill 0emain e/actl5 e9ual t2 2ne 620eve0 > @ust as a pencil balanced p0ecisel5 2n end 4ill, acc20din3 t2 the la4s 26 classical ph5sics, 0emain 620eve0 ve0tical. The 420d unstable means that an5 deviati2n 602m the e9uilib0ium p2int, in eithe0 di0ecti2n, 4ill 0apidl5 3024. ,6 the value 26 2me3a in the ea0l5 *nive0se 4as @ust a little ab2ve 2ne, it 42uld have 0apidl5 0isen t24a0d in6init5D i6 it 4as @ust a smid3en bel24 2ne, it 42uld have 0apidl5 6allen t24a0d =e02. 120 2me3a t2 be an54he0e nea0 2ne t2da5, it must have been e/t0a20dina0il5 cl2se t2 2ne at ea0l5 times. 120 e/ample, c2nside0 2ne sec2nd a6te0 the Bi3 Ban3, the time at 4hich the p02cesses 0elated t2 Bi3 Ban3 nucle2s5nthesis 4e0e @ust be3innin3. 120 2me3a t2 be an54he0e in the all24ed 0an3e t2da5, at that time 2me3a must have e9ualed 2ne t2 an accu0ac5 26 1 decimal placesE & simple e/pl2si2n 3ives n2 e/planati2n 620 this 0a=20>sha0p 6inetunin3, and indeed n2 e/planati2n can he 62und in the t0aditi2nal ve0si2n 26 the Bi3 Ban3 the205. The initial values 26 the mass densit5 and e/pansi2n 0ate a0e n2t p0edicted b5 the the205, but must be p2stulated. *nless 4e p2stulate that the mass densit5 at 2ne sec2nd @ust happened t2 have a value bet4een :.999999999999999 and 1.::::::::::::::1 times the c0itical densit5, h24eve0, the the205 4ill n2t desc0ibe a unive0se that 0esembles the 2ne in 4hich 4e live.

3. THE INFLATIONARY UNIVERSE

&lth2u3h the p02pe0ties 26 the Bi3 Ban3 a0e ve05 special, 4e n24 8n24 that the la4s 26 ph5sics p02vide a mechanism that p02duces e/actl5 this s20t 26 a ban3. The mechanism is 8n24n as c2smic in6lati2n. The c0ucial p02pe0t5 26 ph5sical la4 that ma8es in6lati2n p2ssible is the e/istence 26 states 26 matte0 that have a hi3h ene035 densit5 that cann2t be 0apidl5 l24e0ed. (uch a state is called a "6alse vacuum," 4he0e the 420d "vacuum" indicates a state 26 l24est p2ssible ene035 densit5, and the 420d "6alse" is used t2 mean temp20a05. 120 a pe0i2d that can be l2n3 b5 the standa0ds 26 the ea0l5 *nive0se, the 6alse vacuum acts as i6 the ene035 densit5 cann2t be l24e0ed, since the l24e0in3 26 the ene035 is a sl24 p02cess. The unde0l5in3 ph5sics 26 the 6alse vacuum state is desc0ibed in the b2/ 2n the le6t. C !t!"#$ M#%% D&'%!t( #') F$#t'&%% T#$ )+,T,)&. -&(( densit5
c c

0elated t2 the #ubble c2nstant # b5

C ?#2 / F $

4he0e $ is %e4t2n7s 30avitati2nal c2nstant). The 9uantit5 is de6ined b5 C / c, 4he0e is the actual mass densit5. ,t is 26ten assumed that the c2sm2l23ical c2nstant int02duced b5 $instein is =e02, in 4hich case the *nive0se 4ill 0ec2llapse i6 and 2nl5 i6 G 1. ,6 is n2n>=e02, the c2nditi2n 620 0ec2llapse is m20e c2mplicated, but the e9uati2n ab2ve is still ta8en as the de6initi2n 26 c. The spatial 3e2met05 26 the *nive0se is dete0mined b5 the 9uantit5 H / ?# 2

,6 this 9uantit5 e/ceeds 2ne, the *nive0se cu0ves bac8 2n itsel6 t2 620m a cl2sed space 26 6inite v2lume, but 4ith2ut b2unda05 ,n such a space the sum 26 the an3les in a t0ian3le 42uld e/ceed 1F: de30ees, and a sta0ship t0avelin3 2n a st0ai3ht line 42uld eventuall5 0etu0n t2 its p2int 26 20i3in. ,6 the 9uantit5 ab2ve is less than 2ne, the *nive0se is an 2pen space in 4hich t0ian3les c2ntain less than 1F: de30ees. ,6 the 9uantit5 is e/actl5 2ne, the space is $uclidean, 4hich is als2 called 6lat. Ph(%!"% *+ th& F#$%& V#"uu, T#$ 1&.($ ;&)**- a0ises natu0all5 in an5 the205 that c2ntains scala0 6ields, that is, 6ields that 0esemble elect0ic 20 ma3netic 6ields e/cept that the5 have n2 di0ecti2n. The #i33s 6ields 26 the (tanda0d -2del 26 pa0ticle ph5sics 20 the m20e speculative 30and uni6ied the20ies a0e e/amples 26 scala0 6ields. ,t is t5pical 26 #i33s 6ields that the ene035 densit5 is minimal n2t 4hen the 6ield vanishes, but instead at s2me n2n=e02 value 26 the 6ield. 120 e/ample, the ene035 densit5 dia30am mi3ht l228 li8e

The ene035 densit5 is =e02 i6 C t, s2 this c2nditi2n c200esp2nds t2 the 20dina05 vacuum 26 empt5 space. ,n this c2nte/t it is usuall5 called the "t0ue" vacuum. The state in 4hich the scala0 6ield is nea0 C :, at the t2p 26 the plateau, is called the "6alse" vacuum. ,6 the plateau 26 the ene035 densit5 dia30am is 6lat en2u3h, it can ta8e a ve05 l2n3 time, b5 ea0l5 *nive0se standa0ds, 620 the scala0 6ield t2 "02ll" d24n the hill 26 the ene035 densit5 s2 that the ene035 can be l24e0ed. 120 sh20t times the 6alse vacuum acts li8e a vacuum in the sense that the ene035 densit5 cann2t be l24e0ed. The peculia0 p02pe0ties 26 the 6alse vacuum stem 602m its p0essu0e, 4hich is la03e and ne3ative (see b2/ 2n the 0i3ht). -echanicall5 such a ne3ative p0essu0e c200esp2nds t2 a sucti2n, 4hich d2es n2t s2und li8e s2methin3 that 42uld d0ive the *nive0se int2 a pe0i2d 26 0apid e/pansi2n. The mechanical e66ects 26 p0essu0e, h24eve0, depend 2n p0essu0e di66e0ences, s2 the5 a0e unimp20tant i6 the p0essu0e is 0eas2nabl5 uni620m. &cc20din3 t2 3ene0al 0elativit5, h24eve0, the0e is a 30avitati2nal e66ect that is ve05 imp20tant unde0 these ci0cumstances. P0essu0es, li8e ene035 densities, c0eate 30avitati2nal 6ields, and in pa0ticula0 a p2sitive p0essu0e c0eates an att0active 30avitati2nal 6ield. The ne3ative p0essu0e 26 the 6alse vacuum, the0e620e, c0eates a 0epulsive 30avitati2nal 6ield, 4hich is the d0ivin3 620ce behind in6lati2n. The0e a0e man5 ve0si2ns 26 in6lati2na05 the20ies but 3ene0icall5 the5 assume that s2me small patch 26 the ea0l5 *nive0se s2meh24 came t2 be in a 6alse vacuum state ;a0i2us p2ssibilities have been discussed, includin3 supe0c22lin3 du0in3 a phase t0ansiti2n in the ea0l5 *nive0se, 20 a pu0el5 0and2m 6luctuati2n 26 the 6ields. & chance 6luctuati2n seems 0eas2nable even i6 the p02babilit5 is l24, since the in6latin3 0e3i2n 4ill enla03e b5 man5 20de0s 26 ma3nitude, 4hile the n2n>in6latin3 0e3i2ns 4ill 0emain mic02sc2pic. ,n6lati2n is a 4ild6i0e that 4ill inevitabl5 ta8e 2ve0 the 620est, as l2n3 as the0e is s2me chance that it 4ill sta0t. 'nce a patch 26 the ea0l5 *nive0se is in the 6alse vacuum state, the 0epulsive 30avitati2nal e66ect d0ives the patch int2 an in6lati2na05 pe0i2d 26 e/p2nential e/pansi2n. T2 p02duce a unive0se 4ith

the special 6eatu0es 26 the Bi3 Ban3 discussed ab2ve, the e/pansi2n 6act20 must be at least ab2ut 1:2 . The0e is n2 uppe0 limit t2 the am2unt 26 e/pansi2n. $ventuall5 the 6alse vacuum deca5s, and the ene035 that had been l2c8ed in it is 0eleased. This ene035 p02duces a h2t, uni620m, s2up 26 pa0ticles, 4hich is e/actl5 the assumed sta0tin3 p2int 26 the t0aditi2nal Bi3 Ban3 the205. &t this p2int the in6lati2na05 the205 @2ins 2nt2 the 2lde0 the205, maintainin3 all the successes 620 4hich the Bi3 Ban3 the205 is believed. ,n the in6lati2na05 the205 the *nive0se be3ins inc0edibl5 small, pe0haps as small as 1: >24cm, a hund0ed billi2n times smalle0 than a p02t2n. The e/pansi2n ta8es place 4hile the 6alse vacuum maintains a nea0l5 c2nstant ene035 densit5, 4hich means that the t2tal ene035 inc0eases b5 the cube 26 the linea0 e/pansi2n 6act20, 20 at least a 6act20 26 1:7 . &lth2u3h this s2unds li8e a blatant vi2lati2n 26 ene035 c2nse0vati2n, it is in 6act c2nsistent 4ith ph5sics as 4e 8n24 it. The 0es2luti2n t2 the ene035 pa0ad2/ lies in the subtle behavi20 26 30avit5. &lth2u3h it has n2t been 4idel5 app0eciated, %e4t2nian ph5sics unambi3u2usl5 implies that the ene035 26 a 30avitati2nal 6ield is al4a5s ne3ative a 6act 4hich h2lds als2 in 3ene0al 0elativit5. The %e4t2nian a03ument cl2sel5 pa0allels the de0ivati2n 26 the ene035 densit5 26 an elect02static 6ield, e/cept that the ans4e0 has the 2pp2site si3n because the 620ce la4 has the 2pp2site si3n: t42 p2sitive masses att0act, 4hile t42 p2sitive cha03es 0epel. The p2ssibilit5 that the ne3ative ene035 26 30avit5 c2uld balance the p2sitive ene035 620 the matte0 26 the *nive0se 4as su33ested as ea0l5 as 19?2 b5 +icha0d T2lman, alth2u3h a viable mechanism 620 the ene035 t0ans6e0 4as n2t 8n24n. Au0in3 in6lati2n, 4hile the ene035 26 matte0 inc0eases b5 a 6act20 26 1: 7 20 m20e, the ene035 26 the 30avitati2nal 6ield bec2mes m20e and m20e ne3ative t2 c2mpensate. The t2tal ene035 > matte0 plus 30avitati2nal > 0emains c2nstant and ve05 small, and c2uld even be e/actl5 =e02. )2nse0vati2n 26 ene035 places n2 limit 2n h24 much the *nive0se can in6late, as the0e is n2 limit t2 the am2unt 26 ne3ative ene035 that can be st20ed in the 30avitati2nal 6ield. This b20024in3 26 ene035 602m the 30avitati2nal 6ield 3ives the in6lati2na05 pa0adi3m an enti0el5 di66e0ent pe0spective 602m the classical Bi3 Ban3 the205, in 4hich all the pa0ticles in the *nive0se (20 at least thei0 p0ecu0s20s) 4e0e assumed t2 be in place 602m the sta0t. ,n6lati2n p02vides a mechanism b5 4hich the enti0e *nive0se can devel2p 602m @ust a 6e4 2unces 26 p0im20dial matte0. ,n6lati2n is 0adicall5 at 2dds 4ith the 2ld dictum 26 Aem2c0itus and .uc0etius, "%2thin3 can be c0eated 602m n2thin3" ,6 in6lati2n is 0i3ht, eve05thin3 can be c0eated 602m n2thin3, 20 at least 602m ve05 little. ,6 in6lati2n is 0i3ht, the *nive0se can p02pe0l5 be called the ultimate 60ee lunch. P &%%u & *+ th& F#$%& V#"uu, T#$ P+$((*+$ '1 T#$ 1&.($ ;&)**- can be dete0mined b5 a simple ene035>c2nse0vati2n a03ument. ,ma3ine a chambe0 6illed 4ith 6alse vacuum, as sh24n in the dia30am bel24.

120 simplicit5, assume that the chambe0 is small en2u3h s2 that 30avitati2nal e66ects can be i3n20ed.

(ince the ene035 densit5 26 the 6alse vacuum is 6i/ed at s2me value u6, the ene035 inside the chambe0 is %Cuf&, 4he0e & is the v2lume. %24 supp2se the pist2n is 9uic8l5 pulled 2ut4a0d, inc0easin3 the v2lume b5 d&. ,6 an5 6amilia0 substance 4e0e inside the chambe0, the ene035 densit5 42uld dec0ease. The 6alse vacuum, h24eve0, cann2t 0apidl5 l24e0 its ene035 densit5, s2 the ene035 densit5 0emains c2nstant and the t2tal ene035 inc0eases. (ince ene035 is c2nse0ved, the e/t0a ene035 must be supplied b5 the a3ent that pulled 2n the pist2n. & 620ce is 0e9ui0ed, the0e620e, t2 pull the pist2n 2ut4a0d, impl5in3 that the 6alse vacuum c0eates a sucti2n, 20 ne3ative p0essu0e p. (ince the chan3e in ene035 is d% C ufd&, 4hich must e9ual the 4208 d2ne, d' ( )pd&, the p0essu0e 26 the 6alse vacuum is 3iven b5 p ( )uf. The p0essu0e is ne3ative, and e/t0emel5 la03e. !ene0al 0elativit5 p0edicts that the 30avitati2nal 6ield 4hich sl24s the e/pansi2n 26 the unive0se is p02p20ti2nal t2 uf * +p, s2 the ne3ative p0essu0e 26 the 6alse vacuum 2ve0c2mes the p2sitive ene035 densit5 t2 p02duce a net 0epulsive 30avitati2nal 6ield.

The solution to the hori,on problem. The green line shows the radius of the region that e"ol"es to become the presently obser"able %ni"erse, as described by the traditional Big Bang theory. The black line shows the corresponding cur"e for the inflationary theory. -ue to the spectacular growth spurt during inflation, the inflationary cur"e shows a much smaller %ni"erse than in the standard theory for the period before inflation. The uniformity is established at this early time, and the region is then stretched by inflation to become large enough to encompass the obser"ed %ni"erse. .ote that the numbers describing inflation are illustrati"e, as the range of possibilities is "ery large.

-. INFLATION AND THE VERY SPECIAL BANG

'nce in6lati2n has been desc0ibed, it is n2t ha0d t2 see h24 it p02duces @ust the special 8ind 26 ban3 that 4as discussed ea0lie0. )2nside0 6i0st the h20i=2n p02blem, the di66icult5 26 unde0standin3 the la03e>scale h2m23eneit5 26 the *nive0se in the c2nte/t 26 the t0aditi2nal Bi3 Ban3 the205. (upp2se 4e t0ace bac8 th02u3h time the 2bse0ved 0e3i2n 26 the *nive0se, 4hich has a 0adius t2da5 26 ab2ut 1: billi2n li3ht>5ea0s. &s 4e

t0ace its hist205 bac8 t2 the end 26 the in6lati2na05 pe0i2d, 2u0 desc0ipti2n is identical t2 4hat it 42uld be in the t0aditi2nal Bi3 Ban3 the205, since the t42 the20ies a30ee e/actl5 620 all times a6te0 the end 26 in6lati2n. ,n the in6lati2na05 the205, h24eve0, the 0e3i2n unde032es a t0emend2us spu0t 26 e/pansi2n du0in3 the in6lati2na05 e0a. ,t 62ll24s that the 0e3i2n 4as inc0edibl5 small be620e the spu0t 26 e/pansi2n be3an > 1:2 20 m20e times smalle0 in 0adius than in the t0aditi2nal the205. (%2te that , am n2t sa5in3 that *nive0se as a 4h2le 4as ve05 small. The in6lati2na05 m2del ma8es n2 statement ab2ut the si=e 26 the *nive0se as a 4h2le, 4hich mi3ht in 6act be in6inite.) Because the 0e3i2n 4as s2 small, the0e 4as plent5 26 time 620 it t2 c2me t2 a uni620m tempe0atu0e, b5 the same mundane p02cesses b5 4hich a cup 26 h2t c266ee c22ls t2 022m tempe0atu0e as it sits 2n a table. (2 in the in6lati2na05 m2del, the uni620m tempe0atu0e 4as established be620e in6lati2n t228 place, in an e/t0emel5 small 0e3i2n. The p02cess 26 in6lati2n then st0etched this 0e3i2n t2 bec2me la03e en2u3h t2 enc2mpass the enti0e 2bse0ved *nive0se. The uni620mit5 is p0ese0ved b5 this e/pansi2n, because the la4s 26 ph5sics a0e (4e assume) the same eve054he0e. The in6lati2na05 m2del als2 p02vides a simple 0es2luti2n 620 the 6latness p02blem, the 6ine>tunin3 0e9ui0ed 26 the mass densit5 26 the ea0l5 *nive0se. +ecall that the 0ati2 26 the actual mass densit5 t2 the c0itical densit5 is called 2me3a, and that the p02blem a02se because the c2nditi2n C 1 is unstable: 2me3a is al4a5s d0iven a4a5 602m 2ne as the *nive0se ev2lves, ma8in3 it di66icult t2 unde0stand h24 its value t2da5 can be in the vicinit5 26 2ne. Au0in3 the in6lati2na05 e0a, h24eve0, the peculia0 natu0e 26 the 6alse vacuum state 0esults in s2me imp20tant si3n chan3es in the e9uati2ns that desc0ibe the ev2luti2n 26 the *nive0se. Au0in3 this pe0i2d, as 4e have discussed, the 620ce 26 30avit5 acts t2 accele0ate the e/pansi2n 26 the *nive0se 0athe0 than t2 0eta0d it. ,t tu0ns 2ut that the e9uati2n 32ve0nin3 the ev2luti2n 26 2me3a als2 has a c0ucial chan3e 26 si3n: du0in3 the in6lati2na05 pe0i2d the *nive0se is d0iven ve05 9uic8l5 and ve05 p24e06ull5 towards a c0itical mass densit5. This e66ect can he unde0st22d i6 2ne accepts 602m 3ene0al 0elativit5 the 0elati2nship bet4een a c0itical mass densit5 and the 3e2met0ic 6latness 26 space. The hu3e e/pansi2n 6act20 26 in6lati2n d0ives the *nive0se t24a0d 6latness 620 the same 0eas2n that the $a0th appea0s 6lat, even th2u3h in is 0eall5 02und. & small piece 26 an5 cu0ved space, i6 ma3ni6ied su66icientl5, 4ill appea0 6lat. Thus, a sh20t pe0i2d 26 in6lati2n can d0ive the value 26 2me3a ve05 accu0atel5 t2 2ne, n2 matte0 4he0e it sta0ts 2ut. The0e is n2 l2n3e0 an5 need t2 assume that the initial value 26 2me3a 4as inc0edibl5 cl2se t2 2ne. 1u0the0m20e, the0e is a p0edicti2n that a0ises 602m this behavi20. The mechanism that d0ives 2me3a t2 2ne alm2st al4a5s 2ve0sh22ts, 4hich means that even t2da5 the mass densit5 sh2uld be e9ual t2 the c0itical value t2 a hi3h de30ee 26 accu0ac5. (,6 $instein7s c2sm2l23ical c2nstant is n2n=e02, 2 this p0edicti2n is m2di6ied t2 bec2me H / +# C 1, 4he0e # is #ubble7s c2nstant.) Thus, the dete0minati2n 26 the mass densit5 26 the *nive0se c2uld be a ve05 imp20tant test 26 the in6lati2na05 m2del. *n620tunatel5, it is ve05 di66icult t2 0eliabl5 estimate the mass densit5 26 the *nive0se, since m2st 26 the matte0 in the *nive0se is "da08," detected 2nl5 th02u3h its 30avitati2nal pull 2n visible matte0. )u00ent estimates 26 2me3a 0an3e 602m :.2 t2 1.1. %2netheless, it is li8el5 that this issue can be settled in the nea0 6utu0e. The hi3h p0ecisi2n measu0ements 26 the mic024ave bac8302und 0adiati2n that 4ill be made b5 the -ic024ave &nis2t02p5 P02be, scheduled 620 launch in ab2ut 2::1, a0e e/pected t2 pin d24n the value 26 2me3a t2 ab2ut pe0cent accu0ac5.

.. THE CURRENT PICTURE

"hile it ma5 be t22 ea0l5 t2 sa5 that in6lati2n is p02ved, , claim that the case 620 in6lati2n is c2mpellin3. ,t is ha0d t2 even c2nceive 26 an alte0native the205 that c2uld e/plain the basic 6eatu0es 26 the 2bse0ved *nive0se. %2t 2nl5 d2es in6lati2n p02duce @ust the 8ind 26 special ban3 that matches the 2bse0ved *nive0se, but 9uantum 6luctuati2ns du0in3 in6lati2n c2uld have p02duced

n2nuni620mities 4hich se0ved as the seeds 26 c2smic st0uctu0e. These n2nuni620mities can be 2bse0ved di0ectl5 in the c2smic bac8302und 0adiati2n, 4ith an amplitude 26 ab2ut 2ne pa0t in 1::,:::. (2 6a0 the measu0ements 26 the spect0um have been beauti6ull5 c2nsistent 4ith the p0edicti2ns 26 in6lati2n, alth2u3h it must be admitted that n2nuni620mities c0eated b5 c2smic st0in3s a0e als2 c2nsistent 4ith the 2bse0vati2ns. )2smic st0in3s, h24eve0, cann2t e/plain the la03e>scale h2m23eneit5 20 the 6latness 26 the *nive0se. "hile the case 620 in6lati2n is st02n3, it sh2uld be st0essed that in6lati2n is 0eall5 a pa0adi3m and n2t a the205. The statement that the *nive0se a02se 602m in6lati2n, i6 it is t0ue, is n2t the end 26 the stud5 26 c2smic 20i3ins > it is in 6act cl2se0 t2 the be3innin3. The details 26 in6lati2n depend up2n the details 26 the unde0l5in3 pa0ticle ph5sics, s2 c2sm2l235 and pa0ticle ph5sics bec2me intimatel5 lin8ed t23ethe0. "hile , cann2t see an5 viable alte0native t2 the 3ene0al idea 26 in6lati2n, the0e is still much 4208 t2 be d2ne be620e a detailed pictu0e is established. &nd , suspect that the0e is 022m 620 man5 ne4 imp20tant ideas.

The e panding sphere illustrates the solution to the flatness problem in inflationary cosmology. /s the sphere becomes larger, its surface becomes flatter and flatter. 0imilarly the inflation of space causes it to become geometrically flat, and general relati"ity implies that the mass density of a flat uni"erse must e1ual the critical "alue.