5.6. Attractor Solutions in Inflation
For simplicity, let us consider a particularly simple potential
(203) |
where m has dimensions of mass. We shall also assume initial conditions that at the end of the quantum epoch, which we label as t = 0, ~ Mp4.
The slow-roll conditions give that, at t = 0,
(204) |
where we have defined m / Mp << 1. We also have
(205) |
where
(206) |
so that the scalar field equation of motion becomes
(207) |
This is solved by
(208) |
where m2 / 3. Now, the slow-roll conditions remain satisfied provided that
(209) |
and therefore, (208) is valid for a time
(210) |
Why is this important? This is important because (208) is an attractor solution! Let's see how this arises. Consider perturbing (208) by writing
(211) |
where (t) is a "small" perturbation, substituting in to the equation of motion and linearizing in . One obtains
(212) |
This equation exhibits two solutions. The first is just a constant, which just serves to move along the trajectory. The second solution is a decaying mode with time constant tc = (3 )-1. Since tc << t, all solutions rapidly decay to (208) - it is an attractor.