Date of Award

8-16-2024

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

Physics and Astronomy

First Advisor

Brett Altschul

Abstract

The expectation that the physical expansion of space occurs smoothly may be expressed mathematically as a requirement for continuity in the time derivative of the metric scale factor of the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker cosmology. We explore the consequences of imposing such a smoothness requirement, examining the forms of possible interpolating functions between the end of inflation and subsequent radiation- or matter-dominated eras, using a straightforward geometric model of the interpolating behavior. We quantify the magnitude of the cusp found in a direct transition from the end of slow roll inflation to the subsequent era, analyze the validity several smooth interpolator candidates, and investigate equation-of-state and thermodynamic constraints. We find an order-of-magnitude increase in the size of the universe at the end of the transition to a single-component radiation or matter era. We also evaluate the interpolating functions in terms of the standard theory of preheating and determine the effect on the number of bosons produced.

Rights

© 2024, Harry Oslislo

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