Entropy production in the inflationary epoch using the Gouy–Stodola theorem

Abstract

In this work, we use the Gouy–Stodola theorem to calculate the entropy production rate in the inflationary epoch of the universe. This theorem allows us the simple calculation of entropy and entropy production rate occasioned by the decaying of the inflaton scalar field. Both the entropy and entropy production rate achieve large values, agreeing with the expected values present in the literature.