k-inflation

C. Armendáriz-Picón, T. Damour, V. Mukhanov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1618 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is shown that a large class of higher-order (i.e. non-quadratic) scalar kinetic terms can, without the help of potential terms, drive an inflationary evolution starting from rather generic initial conditions. In many modles, this kinetically driven inflation (or "k-inflation" for short) rolls slowly from a high-curvature initial phase, down to a low-curvature phase and can exit inflation to end up being radiation-dominated, in a naturally graceful manner. We hope that this novel inflation mechanism might be useful in suggesting new ways of reconciling the string dilaton with inflation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)209-218
Number of pages10
JournalPhysics Letters, Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics
Volume458
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

Keywords

  • Inflation
  • String theory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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