Origin of Particles

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If the inflaton model of inflation is correct, then the universe stops expanding as the inflaton field rolls down the steep slope in its potential. When it reaches the bottom of this hill, the field oscillates around the minimum. As we have learned in Unit 2, the oscillations of fundamental fields give rise to particles. So the oscillating of the inflaton field could create all the matter we see in the universe, and the end of inflation could be what we call the Big Bang. (Unit: 4)