Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: For the first time, we establish a direct connection between inflationary dynamics and the subsequent magnetohydrodynamic evolution. Starting from vacuum fluctuations, we self-consistently evolve the coupled inflaton-plasma system through inflation, reheating, and into the radiation-dominated era. We find an inflaton-driven inverse cascade followed by freely decaying turbulence, with kinetic energy dominating over magnetic energy and driving dynamo amplification. The inflaton-driven turbulence causes steeper magnetic energy decay than helical turbulence and should therefore be accounted for subsequent evolution of primordial fields and their present-day observables.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Iarygina, Oksana, Brandenburg, Axel
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G2322838533, G3858998509, Collaborative Research: A Comprehensive Theoretical Study of Cosmological Magnetic Fields and Turbulence: from the Early to Late Time Universe, Collaborative Research: Gravitational Waves as Messengers from the Early Universe, Probing the first microseconds of the Universe with magnetic fields and gravitational waves, Multi-messenger probe of early universe phase transitions
OpenAlex ID: W7212156920