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Particle Physics and Early Universe

Vak
2012-2013

Description

This course will discuss how particle physics defines physics of the early universe, the subsequent cosmological scenario and the current state of the universe. Starting with basics of the Standard Model of particle physics (SM), we will see how the whole intricate structure of this theory exhibits itself in a hot and dense, quickly expanding universe. We will demonstrate that this allows to use astrophysical and cosmological observational data to check the SM. The next part will discuss the shortcomings of the Standard Model and different approaches to resolve them: top-down (theory-based) and bottom-up (phenomenology-based), as well as implications of this beyond the SM physics for the early universe (most importantly: the nature of dark matter, dark energy, mechanisms of baryogenesis and inflation).

Programme form

Lectures and problem sessions, weekly assignments

Literature

Recommended: -The primordial density perturbation by D.H.Lyth and A.R.Liddle, CUP ’09;

-Introduction to the Theory of the Early Universe: Hot Big Bang Theory by D.Gorbunov & V.Rubakov, World Scientific, 2010;

-http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-ph/0004188 by J.Garcia-Bellido;

-Principles of physical cosmology by P.J.E. Peebles, Princeton University Press, 1993;

-Physical foundations of cosmology by V.Mukhanov, Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Schedule

Physics Schedule

Form of examination

to be determined in consultation with the students.

Prerequisites

Bachelor of Physics with the course Physics of Elementary Particles or a clear equivalent; Effective Field Theory and Origin and Evolution of the Universe (both courses are recommended)

More information

Lecturer: Dr. A. Boyarsky (Alexey)