  The fundamental paradox of the incompatibility of the observed large-scale
uniformity of the Universe with the fact that the age of the Universe is finite
is overcome by the introduction of an initial a period of superluminal
expansion of space, called cosmic inflation. Inflation can also produce the
small deviations from uniformity needed for the formation of structures in the
Universe such as galaxies. This is achieved by the conjunction of inflation
with the quantum vacuum, through the so-called particle production process.
This mechanism is explained and linked with Hawking radiation of black holes.
The nature of the particles involved is discussed and the case of using massive
vector boson fields instead of scalar fields is presented, with emphasis on its
distinct observational signatures. Finally, a particular implementation of
these ideas is included, which can link the formation of galaxies, the standard
model vector bosons and the observed galactic magnetic fields.
