The open inflation scenario based on the theory of bubble formation in the models of a single scalar field suffers from a fatal defect. In all the versions of this scenario known so far, the Coleman–De Luccia instantons describing the creation of an open universe do not exist. We propose a simple one-field model where the CDL instanton does exist and the open inflation scenario can be realized.

• Received 12 August 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.59.023503