Astrophysics II
The inflaton field is a hypothetical scalar field proposed in inflationary theory to explain the rapid expansion of the universe shortly after the Big Bang. This field is believed to drive inflation by generating a repulsive gravitational effect, leading to an exponential expansion that smoothed out the universe's initial irregularities. Understanding the inflaton field is crucial for comprehending how the large-scale structure of the universe formed from quantum fluctuations during this inflationary period.
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