Publication : t10/114

Abstract:
The evolution of high order correlation functions of test scalar fields in arbitrary inflationary backgrounds is computed. Taking advantage of the fact that quantum field theory calculations can be mapped, for super-horizon scales, into those of a classical system, we express the expected correlation functions in terms of classical quantities, power spectra, Green functions, that can be easily computed in the long-wavelength limit. Explicit results are presented that extend those already known for a de Sitter background. In particular the expressions of the late time amplitude of bispectrum and trispectrum in terms of the the expansion factor behavior are given. When compared to the case of a de Sitter background, power law inflation and chaotic inflation induced by a massive field are found to induce high order correlation functions the amplitudes of which are amplified by almost one order of magnitude.

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