Vector Inflation

Abstract

We propose a scenario where inflation is driven by non-minimally coupled massive vector fields. In an isotropic homogeneous universe these fields behave in presicely the same way as a massive minimally coupled scalar field. Therefore our model is very similar to the model of chaotic inflation with scalar field. For vector fields the isotropy of expansion is achived either by considering a triplet of orthogonal vector fields or for the expense of $N$ randomly oriented vector fields. In this last case the substantial anisotropy of the expansion of order $1/_s18sqrt{N}$ survives after inflation. The lightest vector fields might also force the late time acceleration of the Universe.