Extended chaotic inflation and spatial variations of the gravitational constant

An extended chaotic inflation scenario is proposed. In this scenario the values of the effective gravitational constant in different parts of the universe may differ from each other. Depending on the choice of a particular model, the value of the gravitational constant in our part of the universe either can be expressed through other coupling constants in the theory or can be determined with the help of anthropic considerations. In some models the weakness of the gravitational interactions may be related to the duration of inflation. (orig.)