inflationary universe theory
E84390
Inflationary universe theory is a cosmological model proposing that the early universe underwent an extremely rapid exponential expansion, explaining its large-scale uniformity and structure.
Aliases (3)
Statements (48)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
cosmological theory
→
physical cosmology model → |
| addresses |
initial condition problems in cosmology
→
|
| alsoKnownAs |
cosmic inflation
→
inflation theory → |
| compatibleWith |
Big Bang cosmology
→
|
| contrastsWith |
standard Big Bang without inflation
→
|
| coreIdea |
vacuum-like energy drives rapid expansion
→
|
| developedBy |
Alan Guth
→
|
| duration |
tiny fraction of a second after the Big Bang
→
|
| expansionRate |
exponential
→
|
| explains |
flatness problem
→
horizon problem → isotropy of the cosmic microwave background → large-scale homogeneity of the universe → monopole problem → |
| field |
cosmology
→
theoretical physics → |
| hasPart |
chaotic inflation models
→
eternal inflation models → hybrid inflation models → new inflation models → slow-roll inflation models → |
| inception |
1980
→
|
| influenced |
multiverse hypotheses
→
string theory cosmology → |
| inspiredBy |
grand unified theories
→
|
| mathematicalFramework |
general relativity
→
quantum field theory in curved spacetime → |
| openQuestion |
exact inflationary potential form
→
nature of the inflaton field → |
| predicts |
Gaussian primordial fluctuations
→
existence of quantum fluctuations stretched to cosmological scales → generation of primordial gravitational waves → nearly scale-invariant spectrum of primordial density perturbations → super-horizon correlations in the cosmic microwave background → |
| proposes |
early universe underwent extremely rapid exponential expansion
→
|
| status |
widely accepted in modern cosmology
→
|
| supportedBy |
Planck satellite data
→
WMAP data → cosmic microwave background observations → large-scale structure observations → |
| temporalExtent |
very early universe
→
|
| usesConcept |
false vacuum
→
inflaton field → potential energy density → scalar field → vacuum energy → |
Referenced by (5)
| Subject (surface form when different) | Predicate |
|---|---|
|
Alan Guth
→
Alan Guth → |
knownFor |
|
inflationary universe theory
("inflation theory")
→
|
alsoKnownAs |
|
Alan Guth
("The Inflationary Universe")
→
|
hasWritten |
|
Alan Guth
("Inflationary universe: A possible solution to the horizon and flatness problems")
→
|
notableWork |