Inflationary constraints on cosmological field theory |
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| Authors: | J M Overduin |
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| Institution: | Department of Physics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1; Gravity Probe B, Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA |
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| Abstract: | We consider a non-singular scalar field cosmology proposed by Starkovich & Cooperstock, in which the matter- and radiation-dominated eras are preceded by a 'prematter' era characterized by negative pressure and rapid inflation. The form of the scalar potential during this period is of approximately power-law form, and is consistent with COBE and Tenerife data on the spectral index of density perturbations. However, the predicted density contrast is considerably larger than that observed. The theory also violates constraints on the energy at the end of inflation. Prospects for addressing these difficulties are briefly discussed. |
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| Keywords: | cosmic microwave background cosmology: theory early Universe |
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