Concept
Reheating is a process in cosmology that occurs after cosmic inflation, where the universe heats up again due to the decay of the inflaton field into particles. This process is crucial for setting the initial conditions for the hot Big Bang, leading to the formation of the observable universe as we know it today.
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Concept
Cosmic inflation is a theory that proposes a rapid exponential expansion of the universe during its first few moments after the Big Bang, solving several problems in cosmology such as the horizon and Flatness Problems. This brief period of inflationary expansion set the initial conditions for the universe's large-scale structure and uniformity observed today.
Concept
The inflaton field is a hypothetical scalar field proposed to explain the rapid exponential expansion of the universe during the inflationary epoch, which occurred just after the Big Bang. It is theorized to have driven inflation by its potential energy dominating the universe's energy density, leading to a period of accelerated expansion before decaying into particles that populated the universe.
Concept
Particle decay is a fundamental process in which an unstable subatomic particle transforms into other particles, releasing energy in the process. It provides insights into the fundamental forces of nature and the stability of matter, playing a crucial role in fields like particle physics and cosmology.
Concept
Big Bang nucleosynthesis refers to the process that occurred within the first few minutes of the universe's existence, leading to the formation of the lightest elements such as hydrogen, helium, and small amounts of lithium and beryllium. This process provides critical evidence for the Big Bang theory and helps explain the observed abundance of light elements in the universe today.
Concept
Thermalization is the process through which a non-equilibrium system evolves towards thermal equilibrium, characterized by a uniform temperature and maximized entropy. It is a fundamental concept in statistical mechanics, describing how isolated systems reach a state where macroscopic properties become time-independent and predictable by thermodynamic laws.
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Concept
A scalar field is a mathematical function that assigns a single scalar value to every point in a space, often used to describe physical quantities such as temperature or pressure in a given region. It is an essential concept in fields like physics and mathematics, providing a framework for analyzing spatially varying quantities without directionality.
Concept
Quantum Field Theory (QFT) is a fundamental framework in theoretical physics that blends quantum mechanics with special relativity to describe how particles and fields interact. It serves as the foundation for understanding particle physics and the Standard Model, providing insights into the behavior of subatomic particles and the forces that govern them.
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Concept
The Inflationary Universe theory posits that the universe underwent an exponential expansion in the first tiny fraction of a second after the Big Bang, solving several cosmological puzzles such as the horizon and flatness problems. This rapid expansion set the initial conditions for the large-scale structure of the cosmos we observe today.
Concept
The inflationary epoch is a theorized period in the early universe during which it underwent an exponential expansion, resolving several cosmological puzzles such as the horizon and Flatness Problems. This rapid expansion, occurring just after the Big Bang, set the initial conditions for the large-scale structure of the universe we observe today.
Concept
Inflationary cosmology is a theory proposing that the early universe underwent an exponential expansion, solving several problems in the Big Bang model, such as the horizon and flatness problems. This rapid expansion explains the large-scale uniformity of the cosmos and sets initial conditions for the formation of galaxies and cosmic structures.
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