Elementary Particles And The Early Universe

Connections developed in recent years between particle physics and cosmologyare the focus of attention in this new textbook. The author describes some of the theories which have been developed to describe the fundamental interaction of elementary particles in the extremely high temperatures of the early universe, taking care to distinguish facts and well-established results from hypotheses and speculations. - The three parts of the book discuss the standard hot big bang model of the earlyuniverse, the basic ideas of the standard and the grand unified theories of elementary particles, and the influence of dark matter on the large-scale evolution of structure. In addition to making some minorcorrections the author has added an appendix presenting new results and an updated bibliography. Two main groups of readers are addressed: research students in astronomy can use this book to understand the impact of elementary particle theory on cosmology, while research students in particle physics can use it to acquaint themselves with the basic facts of cosmology. The book is written carefully enough to appeal also to a wider audience of physicists.

The birth of the Universe, and its subsequent evolution, is an exciting blend of Cosmology, Particle Physics and Thermodynamics. This book, with its synoptic approach, provides an accessible introduction to these fascinating topics. It begins in Part I with an overview of cosmology and is followed by a discussion on the present understanding about the birth of the universe, detailing the Planck Era, Inflation, and the Big Bang. It speculates the possibility of multiple universes. Before moving on to explore the essentials of the Standard Model of Particle Physics in Part II, with particular stress on the electroweak force, the first example of acquisition of mass by gauge bosons via the Higgs mechanism. The book finishes in Part III with the thermal history of the Universe. This will also lead to understanding baryonic matter and baryogenesis as well as nucleosynthesis This book is suitable for those taking courses on particle physics, general relativity, and cosmology. Readers mathematically inclined who wish to enhance their basic knowledge about the early Universe, will also find this book suitable to move up to the next level. Features: Authored by experienced lecturers in Particle Physics, Quantum Field Theory, Nuclear Physics, and General Relativity Provides an accessible introduction to Particle Physics and Cosmology

The goal of the Daniel Chalonge School on Astrofundamental Physics is to contribute to a theory of the universe (and particularly of the early universe) up to the marks, and at the scientific height of, the unprecedented accuracy, existent and expected, in the observational data. The impressive development of modern cosmology during the last decades is to a large extent due to its unification with elementary particle physics and quantum field theory. The cross-section between these fields has been increasing setting up Astrofundamental Physics. The early universe is an exceptional (theoretical and experimental) laboratory in this new discipline. This NATO Advanced Study Institute provided an up dated understanding, from a fundamental physics and deep point of view, of the progress and key issues in the early universe and the cosmic microwave background: theory and observations. The genuine interplay with large scale structure formation and dark matter problem were discussed. The central focus was placed on the cosmic microwave background. Emphasis was given to the precise inter-relation between fundamental physics and cosmology in these problems, both at the theoretical and experimental/observational levels, within a deep and well defined programme which provided in addition, a careful interdisciplinarity. Special sessions were devoted to high energy cosmic rays, neutrinos in astrophysics, and high energy astrophysics. Deep understanding, clarification, synthesis, careful interdisciplinarity within a fundamental physics framework, were the main goals of the course.

Professor Murray Gell-Mann is one of the most influential and brilliant scientists of the twentieth century. His work on symmetries, including the invention of the 'quark', in the 1950s and early 1960s has provided a foundation for much of modern particle physics and was recognised by the award of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1969. This book is a collection of research articles especially written by eminent scientists to celebrate Gell-Mann's 60th birthday, in September 1989. The main body of contributions are concerned with theoretical particle physics and its applications to cosmology.

The discovery of a new elementary particle at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in 2012 made headlines in world media. Since we already know of a large number of elementary particles, why did this latest discovery generate so much excitement? This small book reveals that this particle provides the key to understanding one of the most extraordinary phenomena which occurred in the early Universe. It introduces the mechanism that made possible, within tiny fractions of a second after the Big Bang, the generation of massive particles. The Origin of Mass is a guided tour of cosmic evolution, from the Big Bang to the elementary particles we study in our accelerators today. The guiding principle of this book is a concept of symmetry which, in a profound and fascinating way, seems to determine the structure of the Universe.

The Physics of the Early Universe is an edited and expanded version of the lectures given at a recent summer school of the same name. Its aim is to present an advanced multi-authored textbook that meets the needs of both postgraduate students and young researchers interested in, or already working on, problems in cosmology and general relativity, with emphasis on the early universe. A particularly strong feature of the present work is the constructive-critical approach to the present mainstream theories, the careful assessment of some alternative approaches, and the overall balance between theoretical and observational considerations. As such, this book will also benefit experienced scientists and nonspecialists from related areas of research.

One of the founders of modern quark theory employs minimal mathematics and nontechnical terms to traverse the eons and bring readers within the first millisecond of the Big Bang, 1983 edition.

The world as it is viewed from modern physics and cosmology has many strange and unexpected features. Often these are in stark contrast with our everyday experience or our preconceptions, such as the concept of space and time as finite and changeable. Nevertheless it is this strange world which is the fundamental basis of our existence. Therefore modern science also has a few things to say about the age-old questions: Who are we? – Where do we come from? – Where are we going? The author, an experienced scientist and teacher, presents the knowledge that we have about our world for non-experts. He takes us on a journey through cosmology and the quantum world of elementary particles. And he sketches the impact of the insights gained into philosophical assumptions and religious beliefs in these disciplines. In the end he asks the speculative question whether there is something beyond the limits of the natural sciences.