A little inflation in the early universe at the QCD phase transition.

We explore a scenario that allows for a strong first order phase transition of QCD at a non-negligible baryon number in the early Universe and its possible observable consequences. The main assumption is a quasistable QCD-vacuum state that leads to a short period of inflation, consequently diluting the net baryon to photon ratio to today's observed value. A strong mechanism for baryogenesis is needed to start out with a baryon asymmetry of order unity, e.g., as provided by Affleck-Dine baryogenesis. The cosmological implications are direct effects on primordial density fluctuations up to dark matter mass scales of M{max}∼1-10M{⊙}, change in the spectral slope up to M{max}∼10{6}-10{8}M{⊙}, production of strong primordial magnetic fields and a gravitational wave spectrum with present day peak strain amplitude of up to h{c}(ν{peak})∼5×10{-15} around ν{peak}∼4×10{-8}  Hz.