Primordial density perturbation in the curvaton scenario

Abstract

We analyze the primordial density perturbation when it is generated by a ``curvaton'' field different from the inflaton. In some cases this perturbation may have large isocurvature components, fully correlated or anticorrelated with the adiabatic component. It may also have a significant non-Gaussian component. All of these effects are calculated in a form which will enable direct comparison with current and forthcoming observational data.