Chern-Simons EM-flation

We propose a new, generic mechanism of inflation mediated by a balance between potential forces and a Chern-Simons interaction. Such quasi-topological interactions are ubiquitous in string theory. In the minisuperspace approximation, their effect on the dynamics can be mapped onto the problem of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field together with an external potential; slow roll arises when the motion is dominated by the analogue of 'magnetic drift'. This mechanism permits inflation to proceed even in the presence of generic, steep scalar potentials. We suggest a possible experimental signature which, if observed, might be considered strong evidence for string theory.