EXTENDED INFLATION WITH AN EXPONENTIAL POTENTIAL - ART. NO. 083512

In this paper we investigate extended inflation with an exponential po tential V(sigma) = V(0)e(-kappa sigma), which provides a simple cosmol ogical scenario where the distribution of the constants of nature is m ostly determined by kappa. In particular, we show that this theory pre dicts a uniform distribution for the Planck mass at the end of inflati on, for the entire ensemble of universes that undergo stochastic infla tion. Eternal inflation takes place in this scenario for a broad famil y of initial conditions, all of which lead up to the same value of the Planck mass at the end of inflation. The predicted value of the Planc k mass is consistent with the observed Value within a comfortable rang e of values of the parameters involved. [S0556-2821(98)03620-0].