Meso-inflationary QCD axion

We study the possibility that axion Peccei-Quinn symmetry is spontaneously broken after beginning of inflation. This scenario interpolates between preinflationary and postinflationary cosmology with significant phenomenological differences from both. Since not present at early stages inflation large inflationary fluctuations are produced only scales constrained by cosmic microwave background (CMB), avoiding strongest isocurvature constraints. The energy density in perturbations short however can be comparable adiabatic contribution misalignment. These overdensities lead to formation miniclusters also constraints Lyman-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ forest future CMB spectral distortion measurements. If during first O(25) $e$-foldings no axions string network but contributions annihilation domain walls further boost abundance. minimally realized if Hubble scale drops below breaking other realizations possible.