Inflaton fragmentation: Emergence of pseudo-stable inflaton lumps (oscillons) after inflation

Understand

We investigate the emergence of large, localized, pseudo-stable configurations (oscillons) from inflaton fragmentation at the end of inflation.

• We predict the number density of large oscillons, and the conditions necessary for their emergence in a class of inflationary models.
• Analytic estimates are provided for a 3+1 and 1+1-dimensional universe.
• We test our predictions with detailed numerical simulations in 1+1-dimensions.