Cosmological tests of fundamental physics

基础物理的宇宙学测试

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04977
• 负责人: Pogosian, Levon
• 金额: $ 2.99万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=762552
• 关键词: Cosmological; tests; fundamental; physics

We live in a golden age of cosmology. The next generation of optical and radio telescopes will complete the detailed 3D map of the structure in the universe, revealing its evolution through multiple epochs. Upcoming cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments will produce high quality polarization maps potentially confirming the quantum origin of the initial inhomogeneities that seeded formation of stars and galaxies. Canadian astronomers are actively involved in these efforts. My proposal is inspired by the opportunities presented by the upcoming experiments for resolving some of the long-standing puzzles in particle physics and cosmology, such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy. My group is in a good position to solidify its leading role in designing and applying new tests of fundamental physics, while working in close partnership with observational teams. The research program I propose is broadly grouped into two main themes: One focuses on the dynamics of the late time universe and includes studies of dark energy, cosmological test of general relativity and alternative theories of gravity. The other will concern the early universe and using cosmology as a laboratory for testing particle physics. With dark matter and dark energy making up 95% of the energy content of the universe, and with general relativity only weakly tested over cosmological times and distances, there is a considerable interest in developing and testing alternative theories of gravity. My group will develop theoretical frameworks and numerical tools that, in addition to testing specific theories of dark energy and modified gravity, will answer a set of important qualitative questions in as model-independent way as possible. Such questions would include whether dark energy density remains constant in time, whether the equivalence principle holds on cosmological scales and if there are interactions between the dark components. Our work will build on existing long term collaborations with team members of upcoming surveys such as DESI, Euclid and LSST. The expanding universe acts as a microscope revealing physics at energies beyond the reach of particle accelerators. CMB has been our key source of information that will eventually be complemented by gravitational wave (GW) observations from future experiments such as LISA. This proposal includes studying the phase transitions that took place in the early universe, along with their relics, such as primordial magnetic fields and cosmic strings, and their characteristic CMB and GW signatures. I will also study axion strings and their decay into dark matter. My work in this area will form part of my contribution to the CMB-S4 collaboration. The SFU Cosmology Group, with its combined expertise in theory, statistics, computing and data analysis, provides a stimulating environment for developing and testing new ideas, and unique opportunities for training HQP in areas of active international interest.

我们生活在宇宙学的黄金时代。下一代光学和射电望远镜将完成宇宙中结构的详细3D图，从而通过多个时期揭示其演变。即将到来的宇宙微波背景（CMB）实验将产生高质量的极化图，该图可能证实了恒星和星系形成的初始不均匀性的量子起源。加拿大天文学家积极参与了这些努力。 我的建议灵感来自即将到来的实验，即解决粒子物理和宇宙学中一些长期存在的难题，例如暗物质和暗能量的本质。我的小组在与观察团队密切合作时，可以巩固其在设计和应用新的基本物理测试中的领先作用。我提出的研究计划将大致分为两个主要主题：一个重点关注晚期宇宙的动力学，包括对暗能量的研究，一般相对论的宇宙学检验和重力理论。另一个将涉及早期宇宙，并使用宇宙学作为测试粒子物理的实验室。由于暗物质和深色能量占宇宙能量含量的95％，并且在宇宙学时期和距离内进行了弱测试，因此对开发和测试重力理论引起了极大的兴趣。我的小组将开发理论框架和数值工具，除了测试深色能量和修改重力的特定理论外，还将以与模型无关的方式回答一组重要的定性问题。这些问题将包括暗能量密度是否在时间上保持恒定，等效原理是否在宇宙学量表上以及黑暗成分之间存在相互作用。我们的工作将与即将进行的调查（例如Desi，Euclid and LSST）的团队成员进行现有的长期合作。扩展的宇宙充当显微镜，该显微镜在粒子加速器范围之外的能量处揭示了物理。 CMB一直是我们的关键信息来源，最终将通过Lisa等未来实验的引力波（GW）观察来补充。该建议包括研究早期宇宙中发生的相变，以及它们的文物，例如原始磁场和宇宙字符串及其特征性的CMB和GW签名。我还将研究轴突弦及其腐烂成暗物质。我在这方面的工作将成为我对CMB-S4合作的贡献的一部分。 SFU宇宙学小组及其在理论，统计，计算和数据分析方面的综合专业知识为开发和测试新想法提供了一个刺激的环境，以及在积极的国际兴趣领域培训HQP的独特机会。