We construct ensembles of random scalar potentials for N _ { f } interacting scalar fields using non-equilibrium random matrix theory , and use these to study the generation of observables during small-field inflation .
For N _ { f } = { \cal O } ( { few } ) , these heavily featured scalar potentials give rise to power spectra that are highly non-linear , at odds with observations .
For N _ { f } \gg 1 , the superhorizon evolution of the perturbations is generically substantial , yet the power spectra simplify considerably and become more predictive , with most realisations being well approximated by a linear power spectrum .
This provides proof of principle that complex inflationary physics can give rise to simple emergent power spectra .
We explain how these results can be understood in terms of large N _ { f } universality of random matrix theory .