Enhancement of non-gaussianity after inflation

Abstract

We study the evolution of cosmological perturbations on large scales, up to second order, for a perfect fluid with generic equation of state. Taking advantage of superhorizon conservation laws, it is possible to follow the evolution of the non-gaussianity of perturbations through the different stages after inflation. We find that a large non-linearity is generated by the gravitational dynamics from the original inflationary quantum fluctuations. This leads to a significant enhancement of the tiny intrinsic non-gaussianity produced during inflation in single-field slow-roll models. © SISSA/ISAS 2004.