Inflation as a probe of new physics

Abstract

In this paper we consider inflation as a probe of new physics near the string or Planck scale. We discuss how new physics can be captured by the choice of vacuum, and how this leads to modifications of the primordial spectrum as well as the way in which the universe expands during inflation. Provided there is a large number of fields contributing to the vacuum energy -- as typically is expected in string theory -- we will argue that both types of effects can be present simultaneously and be of observational relevance. Our conclusion is that the ambiguity in choice of vacuum is an interesting new parameter in serious model building.