Introduction to the Number of <i>e</i>-Folds in Slow-Roll Inflation

Abstract

In this review, a pedagogical introduction to the concepts of slow-roll inflationary universe and number of e-folds is provided. In particular, the differences between the basic notion of number of e-folds (Ne), total number of e-folds (NT) and number of e-folds before the end of inflation (N) are outlined. The proper application of the number of e-folds before the end of inflation is discussed both as a time-like variable for the scalar field evolution and as a key parameter for computing inflationary predictions.

Keywords

• cosmology
• early universe cosmology
• inflation
• number of <i>e</i>-folds