The most likely shape of the inflaton potential

Carlo Contaldi

January 20, 2014

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Abstract: If the radiation epoch was indeed preceded by an accelerating phase driven by a single, potential dominated scalar field (aka the inflaton) then one of the ultimate goals of cosmological observations is to try to determine the nature of this scalar field and its role in fundamental physics. Constraining the shape of the inflaton potential, in a generalised fashion, is central to this effort. We explore Bayesian constraints on generalised, single field, inflationary models and reveal the most likely inflaton potential given current CMB data.