Vector inflation

We propose a scenario where inflation is driven by non-minimally coupled massive vector fields. In an isotropic homogeneous universe these fields behave in precisely the same way as a massive minimally coupled scalar field. Therefore our model is very similar to the model of chaotic inflation with a scalar field. For vector fields the isotropy of expansion is achieved either by considering a triplet of orthogonal vector fields or at the expense of N randomly oriented vector fields. In the latter case the substantial anisotropy of the expansion of order 1/root N survives until the end of inflation. The lightest vector fields might also force the late time acceleration of the universe.