Physical mechanism that gives rise to cosmic inflation in a finite-sized electron model

In order to explain both (i) the anisotropy of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), where thermal fluctuations δT/T ~ 10^-5 to 10^-4, as well as, (ii) the flatness of the Universe, it is normally postulated that the Universe underwent a period of Cosmic Inflation, early in its history, where the Universe experienced an exponential acceleration which increased the scale factor by ~ e⁶⁰. The inflaton scalar field φ that caused this acceleration is currently unknown where, additionally, the corresponding potential energy density ψ(φ) is normally merely surmised. Planck collaboration measurements indicate that the CMB anisotropies are best explained by a ψ(φ) possessing a plateau shape, which terminates abruptly at the end of inflation.

In 2020 the author published the electron Born self-energy (eBse) model for Dark Energy (DE) wherein many features of DE are quantitatively explained by attributing this energy to the electric field energy surrounding a finite-sized electron in the WHIM (Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium). The current contribution extends the eBse model to very high densities, early in the Universe’s expansion, where electrons and positrons are packed together as close as is physically possible. It is found that this model undergoes a glass transition at a temperature T_G = 1.06x10¹⁷K caused by the electrons and positrons attaining a maximum packing density given by 1/(2R_e)³ where R_e is the electron radius. For temperatures T > T_G, it is impossible to physically increase the packing density above this maximum; the system falls out of photon-electron-positron (γ-e-e+) chemical equilibrium and the potential energy density remains constant at ψ(T_G) = 1.9x10⁵⁰J/m³. A constant ψ(T_G) leads to an accelerated expansion phase, akin to cosmic inflation. For T < T_G γ-e-e+ equilibrium is restored where the potential energy density ψ(T) is a plateau potential, in agreement with Planck collaboration expectations. In this model the inflaton scalar field is temperature.