NFYK16010U Particle Physics and the Early Universe

Volume 2019/2020
Education

MSc Programme in Physics

Content

The purpose of the course is for the students to understand the basic theories of the modern particle physics and cosmology: the theory of inflation, the theory of the dark matter and the dark energy formation in combination with the physics of the cosmological gravitation waves and the black holes. The specific of the course is that in addition to the modern theoretical approaches the students will have practical experience with the data usage from space (the WMAP,Planck) experiments, and particle accelerators data and even recently released LIGO data. This course is central for any later course or projects where an understanding of the modern particle physics and cosmology is required.

In the lectures, the basic principles of the modern field theory in implementation to the fundamental problems of the modern cosmology are taught. Then, it is explained how these principles are used in the modern theory of inflation for explanation fundamental properties of the space and time. Using the prediction of the inflationary cosmology we will discuss the models of the dark matter and the dark energy in the Universe, coming to the observational tests. We will use the CMB data to understand the observational status of the inflation.

Learning Outcome

Skills

To achieve the goals of the course and exam the students should know:

  • Basic principles of the Bing Bang theory and Standard Particle Model.
  • Classification of epochs of the cosmological expansion.
  • Cosmological solutions for scalar factor for different equations of state of the matter, provided by the Standard model.
  • Motivation for Inflation. Basic equation of evolution of the vacuum state of the matter in the Universe.
  • Solution of fundamental problems of the cosmology in the theory of inflation ( initial conditions of inflation, particle horizon, origin of the primordial perturbations, creation of matter due to decay of inflaton)
  • Origin of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Testing the theory of inflation by the modern CMB experiments (the WMAP and the PLANCK) .
  • Possible explanation of the origin of the Dark Matter and the Dark Energy and corresponding uncertainties.

 

Knowledge

The student will after the course know the basic theories of the modern cosmology and high energy physics, and will have an experience in the gravitational waves physics.

 

Competences

From practical exercises the student will have gained experience in writing simple analytical and computational calculations and in analyzing and visualizing real and simulated data with computers. This course will provide the students with a competent background for further studies within this research field, i.e. a M.Sc. project.

See Absalon for final course material including Notes. The following is an example of expected course literature.

V.Mukhanov, Physical foundation of cosmology. Cambridge University Press. 2005 Ian Moos:” Quantum theory, black holes and inflation”, John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

P.Naselsky, D. Novikov and I. Novikov,” The physics of the Cosmic Microwave Background”, Cambridge University Press.2006

No special skills in math and computation are required besides those required for entering the M.Sc. program in Physic.
An advanced course on quantum mechanics is recommended for basic knowledge.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Lectures and exercises
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 8
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Practical exercises
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 132
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 15 minutes
Students will be provided, a few weeks before the exam, with a set of questions regarding the topics of the course.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More internal examiners
Re-exam

same as ordinary exam

Criteria for exam assesment

In order to obtain the grade 12 the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under learning outcome.