Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2021 iii Paper 310 2 c Solution 2026-09-28
This is the potential of Starobinsky inflation. Put and , so . Its potential slow-roll parameter and second potential slow-roll parameter areAt large positive , , so both and are small and slow-roll inflation is possible. Near the minimum, a Taylor expansion gives and henceThey are large for , so that region cannot sustain slow roll.