The Inflationary Paradigm - Lecture 1

Explore the foundations of cosmic inflation in this comprehensive lecture from the Physics of the Early Universe program. Delve into the basics of inflation, the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) model, and the composition of the cosmic cocktail. Examine the horizon problem and how inflation provides a solution. Investigate symmetry breaking, vacuum energy, and scalar fields in the context of early universe physics. Learn about the slow-roll approximation and participate in a Q&A session to deepen your understanding of inflationary cosmology.

Syllabus

The Inflationary Paradigm Lecture 1
Inflation
Topics Covered
Inflation: basics
The FRW light cone
Dynamics of FRW Space
The cosmic cocktail: matter
The cosmic cocktail: radiation
The cosmic cocktail: vacuum
History of the universe: abridged
Alfonso X of Castile r. 1252-84 on the Ptolemaic system
Looking out in space is looking back in time
History of the universe: abridged
Primordial perturbations
The horizon problem
Vacuum energy and inflation
The cosmic horizon
Curvature
Inflation solves the horizon problem
Symmetry breaking: an analogy
Symmetry breaking and vacuum energy
Scalar fields and stress energy
Exercise
Equation of motion
Slow roll
Q&A