English

High frequency oscillations of Newton's constant induced by inflation

Astrophysics 2009-09-25 v1 General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

Abstract

We examine the possibility that an epoch of inflationary expansion induces high-frequency oscillations of Newton's constant, GG. The effect occurs because inflation can shift the expectation value of a non-minimally coupled, Brans-Dicke-like field away from the minimum of its effective potential. At some time after inflation ends, the field begins to oscillate, resulting in periodic variations in GG. We find conditions for which the oscillation energy would be sufficient to close the universe, consistent with all known constraints from cosmology and local tests of general relativity.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9409041,
  title  = {High frequency oscillations of Newton's constant induced by inflation},
  author = {Clifford M. Will and Paul J. Steinhardt},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9409041},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

30 pages, Penn Preprint UPR-0628T, Wash. U. Preprint WUGRAV 94-10 Four figures available by ftp (read comment at head of file)