Inflation and the quantum measurement problem
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Alexander, S
Jyoti, D
Magueijo, J
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We propose a solution to the quantum measurement problem in inflation. Our model treats Fourier modes of cosmological perturbations as analogous to particles in a weakly interacting Bose gas. We generalize the idea of a macroscopic wave function to cosmological fields, and construct a self-interaction Hamiltonian that focuses that wave function. By appropriately setting the coupling between modes, we obtain the standard adiabatic, scale-invariant power spectrum. Because of central limit theorem, we recover a Gaussian random field, consistent with observations.
Date Issued
2016-08-03
Date Acceptance
2016-03-02
Citation
Physical Review D, 2016, 94 (4)
ISSN
1550-7998
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review D
Volume
94
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2016 American Physical Society
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Physics, Particles & Fields
Physics
COSMOLOGICAL PERTURBATIONS
UNIVERSE
STATES
Nuclear & Particles Physics
0201 Astronomical And Space Sciences
0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle And Plasma Physics
0206 Quantum Physics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
043502