Cosmological Inflation and Large-Scale Structure

In Cosmological Inflation and Large-Scale Structure, Andrew R. Liddle and David H. Lyth present a comprehensive overview of inflation, the gravitational growth of density perturbations, and predictions of the properties of the microwave background radiation, all in the context of the standard, hot, Big Bang cosmological model. A few other topics are touched on, but these three key topics are covered in great detail in a superb, rigorous presentation.

Both Liddle and Lyth have been active contributors to important developments in the fields of inflation and large-scale structure for well over a decade. Their depth of knowledge and expertise provide a rock-solid foundation for this book, which is carefully constructed, well-written, well-organized, and crystal clear in its presentation of what can appear to be a complex and broad range of topics. The narrow, deep focus of the book allows the reader to study the main topics in careful detail. Working through the book, including the problems at the end of each chapter, should give readers a thorough and mathematically rigorous grasp of the basic elements of cosmological inflation, including the formation and evolution of different types of density fluctuations in the context of this model. Readers will also understand the way that the microwave background radiation can be used to test the basic model and determine the values of various parameters, including classic cosmological parameters.

The book is ideal for an advanced undergraduate or graduate course in cosmology that focuses on inflation and large-scale structure. A series of problems is presented at the end of each of its 15 chapters. These guide the reader through steps and material in the main text in such a way as to leave the reader to dot some of the i's and cross some of the t's. This approach adds to the book's usefulness to its target audience. Four chapters cover topics related to inflation or the hot Big Bang cosmological model, and six cover large-scale structure formation, evolution, and observations; two chapters revolve around the cosmic microwave background, and the remaining three—"Introduction," "Putting Observations Together," and "Outlook for the Future"—are rather comprehensive overviews of combinations of topics.

Detailed astrophysics, often important on smaller length scales than are addressed in this book, are left for another day. A brief mention is made of observational constraints obtained by applying some of the classic cosmological tests. References are included throughout the text, so the interested reader can follow up on topics. Thus, the authors have not attempted to present an all-encompassing treatise on cosmology.

In sum, Liddle and Lyth have produced a highly focused, fantastically useful book. The text maintains the focus and covers the topics in enough depth to enable an advanced student to begin a research project in any of the fields covered on the basis of this book alone. Inflation and large-scale structure are fast-moving, rapidly developing fields, yet the basics are unlikely to change in the near future. Thus, the fundamental concepts and constructs presented in this book should be useful to students and practitioners in the field for many years to come.