Grand unification and cosmological matter density

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6020085

Lipton, G B

Two problems involving the consequences of grand unification for cosmology are investigated. In the first, the author explores the reconciliation of solution of the strong CP problem with an invisible axion with the explanation of the baryon number of the universe from grand unification. Imposition of Peccei-Quinn symmetry renders the baryon asymmetry too small, if the dominant mechanism is decay of superheavy scalars. The author shows that grand unified theories with automatic axion invisibility can avoid this difficulty. He investigates the level of baryosynthesis for several such models and finds that SU(7) is the most attractive model considered. In the second problem, the author investigates an inflationary universe with a non-zero cosmological constant. Standard inflation assumes a vanishing cosmological constant and hence predicts a universe at precisely the critical density (Omega/sub 0/ = 1). This prediction is modified if a non-zero cosmological constant is allowed. The author finds the new limits on Omega/sub 0/, which can have consequences for the searches for dark matter.

• Research Organization: North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6020085
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
645400 -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
AXIONS
BARYON NUMBER
BASIC INTERACTIONS
BOSONS
COSMOLOGY
CP INVARIANCE
DENSITY
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EXPANSION
FIELD THEORIES
FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS
GOLDSTONE BOSONS
GRAND UNIFIED THEORY
INTERACTIONS
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
PARTICLE MODELS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POSTULATED PARTICLES
STRONG INTERACTIONS
SYNTHESIS
UNIFIED GAUGE MODELS
UNIFIED-FIELD THEORIES