The Curvaton Scenario for the Origin of Large-scale Structure

I discuss the curvaton scenario for the origin of large-scale structure in our universe. In this model, the primordial density perturbation arises from quantum vacuum fluctuations in a light scalar field during inflation. Spatial variations in the curvaton density are then transfered to the radiation density when the curvaton decays some time after inflation. I discuss how this curvaton scenario might be observationally distinguished from the conventional inflaton scenario.