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Quantum cosmological perturbations: predictions and observations

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Abstract

I consider the generic model independent predictions of the theory of quantum cosmological perturbations. To describe the stage of cosmic inflation, where these perturbations are amplified, the hydrodynamical approach is used. The inflationary stage is completely characterized by the deviation of the equation of state from cosmological constant which is a smooth function of the number of e-folds until the end of inflation. It is shown that in this case the spectral index should deviate from the flat one at least by 3 percent irrespective of any particular scenario. Given the value of the spectral index a lower bound on the amount of gravitational waves produced is derived. Finally the relation between effective hydrodynamical description of inflation and inflationary scenarios is discussed.

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Notes

  1. It is often mistakenly stated in the literature that one has to postulate the initial “Bunch–Davies vacuum” for the cosmological perturbations. In fact assuming that duration of inflation lasts longer than 70 e-folds the spectrum generated in the observable scales does not depend on the initial conditions for the perturbations provided that they do not destroy via backreaction the inflationary stage from the very beginning.

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Cesar Gomez for useful discussions. This work was supported by “Chaire Internationale de Recherche Blaise Pascal financée par l’Etat et la Région d’Ile-de-France, gérée par la Fondation de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure”, by TRR 33 “The Dark Universe” and the Cluster of Excellence EXC 153 “Origin and Structure of the Universe”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Theoretical Physics, Ludwig Maxmillians University, Theresienstr. 37, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Viatcheslav Mukhanov

  2. LPT de l’Ecole Normale Superieure, Chaire Blaise Pascal, 24 rue Lhomond, 75231, Paris cedex, France

    Viatcheslav Mukhanov

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  1. Viatcheslav Mukhanov
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Correspondence to Viatcheslav Mukhanov.

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Mukhanov, V. Quantum cosmological perturbations: predictions and observations. Eur. Phys. J. C 73, 2486 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-013-2486-7

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