In "High Energy Physics and Cosmology", 1999, eds. A. Masiero, G. Senjanovic, and A. Smirnov


AN INTRODUCTION TO COSMOLOGICAL INFLATION

Andrew R. Liddle

Astronomy Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QJ, U. K.
and
Astrophysics Group, The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College,
London SW7 2BZ, U. K. (present address)


Abstract. An introductory account is given of the inflationary cosmology, which postulates a period of accelerated expansion during the Universe's earliest stages. The historical motivation is briefly outlined, and the modelling of the inflationary epoch explained. The most important aspect of inflation is that it provides a possible model for the origin of structure in the Universe, and key results are reviewed, along with a discussion of the current observational situation and outlook.


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