FYSS4440 Cosmology (9 cr)

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Study level:

Advanced studies

Grading scale:

0-5

Language:

English

Responsible organisation:

Department of Physics

Curriculum periods:

2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020

Description

Content

Cosmology is a study of the Universe as a whole. Its evolution is determined by gravity (General Relativity) which is sourced by the matter the Universe consists of (described by theories of particle physics). This introductory level course starts by discussing basics of the expanding FRW-model for the Universe. Next, we study equilibrium thermodynamics in the early Universe and present the Boltzmann equation needed for non-equilibrium processes. We apply them to the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (generation of light elements), to formation of dark matter through thermal decoupling and to the formation of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). We introduce inflation as the mechanism for producing the primordial perturbations and setting the required initial conditions for the hot big bang model. We present basics of cosmological perturbation theory and apply it to the evolution of primordial perturbations. Finally, we discuss how CMB observations probe primordial perturbations and the structure of the Universe.

Completion methods

Assignments, examination.

Assessment details

The final grade is based on examinations (75 %) and assignments (25 %). The full assignments credit is obtained by 80 % of the maximal exercise points.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to solve the dynamics of a homogeneous and isotropic universe from Friedmann equations for different cases (e.g. matter, radiation, vacuum energy). Students will be able to compute the relation between redshift, distance and luminosity for different cases. Students will also be able to compute the evolution of thermodynamical equilibrium quantities in the early universe. They will be able to determine when a particle species decouples from thermal equilibrium (Boltzmann equation) and apply the computation to thermal relic dark matter, nucleosynthesis and formation of the cosmic microwave background as well as compute dynamics and predictions of different inflationary models within the slow roll approximation. They will also be able to apply cosmological perturbation theory to the evolution of primordial perturbations as well as understand the basics of the cosmic microwave background as a probe of primordial perturbations and the structure of the universe.

Additional information

Given on spring semester, every two years starting spring 2019.

Description of prerequisites

Useful background for the course is knowledge of General Relativity, Statistical Physics and Quantum Mechanics.

Study materials

Lecture notes and possibly for example the following books:
E.W. Kolb, M.S. Turner: The Early Universe (Addison-Wesley 1990); L. Bergström & A.Goobar, Cosmology and particle astrophysics (Wiley 1999); S. Dodelson: Modern Cosmology (Academic Press 2003); V. Mukhanov: Physical Foundations of Cosmology (Cambridge University Press 2005); A.R. Liddle and D.H. Lyth: The Primordial Density Perturbation: Cosmology, Inflation and the Origin of Structure (Cambridge University Press 2009).

Completion methods

Method 1

Select all marked parts

Parts of the completion methods

Unpublished assessment item