Inflation Theory
In cosmology inflation is the theorized expansion of the early universe driven by vacuum energy density. The inflationary epoch is the first part of the process following the grand unification epoch. It lasted from 10−36 seconds after the Big Bang to sometime between 10−33 and 10−32 seconds. Following the inflationary period, the universe continued to expand, but at a slower rate.
The term "inflation" is also used to refer to the idea that inflation occurred to the theory of inflation. The inflationary hypothesis was originally stated in 1980 by American physicist Alan Guth, who named it "inflation". It was also proposed by Katsuhiko Sato in 1981.
As a direct consequence of this expansion, the universe originated in a small region. Inflation answers the classic conundrum of the Big Bang cosmology: why does the universe appear uniform when one would expect, on the basis of the physics of the Big Bang, a highly curved, heterogeneous universe? Inflation also explains the origin of the large-scale structure of the cosmos.
While the detailed particle physics mechanism responsible for inflation is not known, the basic picture makes a number of predictions that have been confirmed by observation. Inflation is thus now considered part of the standard hot Big Bang cosmology. The hypothetical unit that was be responsible for inflation is called an inflaton.
The term "inflation" is also used to refer to the idea that inflation occurred to the theory of inflation. The inflationary hypothesis was originally stated in 1980 by American physicist Alan Guth, who named it "inflation". It was also proposed by Katsuhiko Sato in 1981.
As a direct consequence of this expansion, the universe originated in a small region. Inflation answers the classic conundrum of the Big Bang cosmology: why does the universe appear uniform when one would expect, on the basis of the physics of the Big Bang, a highly curved, heterogeneous universe? Inflation also explains the origin of the large-scale structure of the cosmos.
While the detailed particle physics mechanism responsible for inflation is not known, the basic picture makes a number of predictions that have been confirmed by observation. Inflation is thus now considered part of the standard hot Big Bang cosmology. The hypothetical unit that was be responsible for inflation is called an inflaton.