The Physics of Inflation: Non-Gaussianity, Reheating and Preheating

近年来出现了对暴胀物理学的新探索。 该方案主要讨论两个问题：一是原初涨落的非高斯性，二是暴胀后的再加热和预热。 如果暴胀伴随着高斯涨落，这意味着只有两个（密度）场之间的相关性才是重要的。非高斯性是通过两个以上场之间的非零相关性来衡量的。 PI已经开发并将继续开发新的非高斯性通货膨胀定量测试。 具体来说，PI沿着他的学生建议学习以下内容：1.更高的相关函数，如三谱（四点函数），它直接测量散射效应以及它们如何影响原始非高斯性;2.包括非线性效应，如玻尔兹曼方程中描述波动演化的散射。这种计算将使人们能够比较理论预测和未来来自普朗克卫星的CMB数据。PI将开发必要的工具和形式主义，以计算由于非均匀，时间依赖的标量场的非线性散射而产生的引力子。该项目通过为研究生提供进行前沿研究的机会，自然地将研究和教育结合起来。PI打算让本科生参与研究和推广项目。PI打算使用模拟数据作为一个有吸引力的和有效的工具，给本科生的研究经验和推广项目。作为本科生的一部分？的推广活动，他打算创造的电影？工作中的大爆炸？使用他们的模拟，并通过万维网公开提供电影。

New probes of the physics of inflation have emerged in recent years. This proposal focuses on two topics: one is non-Gaussianity of primordial fluctuations and the other includes reheating and preheating after inflation. If inflation was accompanied by Gaussian fluctuations, this means that only correlations between two (density) fields are important.Non-Gaussianity is measured by there being non zero correlations between more than two fields. The PI has developed and is continuing to develop new quantitative tests of inflation with non-Gaussianity. Specifically, the PI along with his students proposes to study the following: 1. Higher correlation functions such as the Trispectrum (four-point function) which directly measures scattering effects and how they effect primordial non-Gaussianity;2. Including non-linear effects such as scattering in the Boltzmann equation which describes the evolution of the fluctuations. This calculation will allow one to compare theoretical predictions and future CMB data from the Planck satellite.3. The PI will develop the tools and formalism necessary to calculate gravitino production due to the non-linear scattering of inhomogeneous,time-dependent scalar fields. The project integrates research and education naturally by providing graduate students with opportunities to do cutting-edge research The PI intends to involve undergraduate students in research as well as outreach projects. The PI intends to use simulation data as an attractive and efficient tool for giving undergraduate students research experiences and outreach projects. As a part of undergraduate student?s outreach activities, he intends to create movies of the ?Big Bang at Work? using their simulations and make the movies publicly available via the World Wide Web.