Particle physics and cosmology
This series of lectures is about the role of particle physics in physical processes that occurred in the very early stages of the bug gang. Of particular interest is the role of particle physics in determining the evolution of the early Universe, and the effect of particle physics on the present structure of the Universe. The use of the big bang as a laboratory for placing limits on new particle physics theories will also be discussed. Section 1 reviews the standard cosmology, including primordial nucleosynthesis. Section 2 reviews the decoupling of weakly interacting particles in the early Universe, and discusses neutrino cosmology and the resulting limits that may be placed on the mass and lifetime of massive neutrinos. Section 3 discusses the evolution of the vacuum through phase transitions in the early Universe and the formation of topological defects in the transitions. Section 4 covers recent work on the generation of the baryon asymmetry by baryon-number violating reactions in Grand Unified Theories, and mentions some recent work on baryon number violation effects at the electroweak transition. Section 5 is devoted to theories of cosmic inflation. Finally, Section 6 is a discussion of the role of extra spatial dimensions in the evolution of the early Universe. 78 refs., 32 figs., 6 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH03000
- OSTI ID:
- 6238597
- Report Number(s):
- FNAL/C-86/146-A; CONF-8606259-3; ON: DE87005400
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Theoretical Advanced Study Institute conference, Santa Cruz, CA, USA, 23 Jun 1986; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
REVIEWS
BACKGROUND RADIATION
COSMIC NEUTRINOS
COSMIC RADIATION
HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS
INFLATIONARY UNIVERSE
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
STANDARD MODEL
WEAK INTERACTIONS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
INTERACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEUTRINOS
PARTICLE MODELS
PHYSICS
RADIATIONS
SYNTHESIS
UNIFIED GAUGE MODELS
640106* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmology