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arXiv · hep-th/9904075

k-Inflation

C. Armendariz-Picon·T. Damour·V. Mukhanov
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Abstract

It is shown that a large class of higher-order (i.e. non-quadratic) scalar kinetic terms can, without the help of potential terms, drive an inflationary evolution starting from rather generic initial conditions. In many models, this kinetically driven inflation (or "k-inflation" for short) rolls slowly from a high-curvature initial phase, down to a low-curvature phase and can exit inflation to end up being radiation-dominated, in a naturally graceful manner. We hope that this novel inflation mechanism might be useful in suggesting new ways of reconciling the string dilaton with inflation.

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C. Armendariz-Picon, T. Damour, V. Mukhanov. 1999-04-09. k-Inflation. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0370-2693(99)00603-6

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