Cosmology

Classroom

1. Basics of observational cosmology

2. Elements of general relativity

3. Cosmological models of space-time

4. Thermodynamics of the early Universe

5. Dark matter and other thermal relics

6. Big-bang nucleosynthesis

7. Cosmic inflation

8. Formation of large scale structures

9. Cosmic microwave background radiation

The modern cosmology is a successful theory describing many aspects of the Universe. Progress in observations and experiments over several last years was extraordinary. Many cosmological parameters are known with the precision at the level of 1%. This allows to test with such accuracy the Standard Cosmological Model and its modifications. Moreover, such data are used also to test different models of elementary particle interactions at high energies. It is possible because theories of fundamental interactions and cosmology are strongly related. For example: the problems of Dark Matter, Dark Energy, matter-animatter asymmetry and of Cosmic Inflation force us to consider models of particle interactions beyond the Standard Model. Moreover, the predictions of the Big-Bang nucleonynthesis are very sensitive to properties and interactions of the known and unknown, elementary particles.

There are two main goals of the course "Cosmology":

First: to teach the most important aspects of the modern standard cosmology.

Second: to explain very important relations between cosmology and particle physics (mentioned above).

In more detail, the program is as follows:

1. Basics of observational cosmology

- scales in cosmology

- experimental evidence for: the expansion of the Universe; its homogeneity

and isotropy at large scales; dark matter, ...

2. Elements of general relativity

- basic principles

- Einstein equations

- experimental tests of general relativity

3. Cosmological models of space-time

- Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models

- Friedmann equations

- evolution of the cosmic scale factor in different epochs

- age of the Universe and horizons

4. Thermodynamics of the early Universe

- Boltzmann equation in expanding space

- temperature and entropy in the Universe

5. Dark matter and other thermal relics

- freeze-out in expanding Universe

- recombination

- relic photons and neutrinos

- hot and cold dark matter

6. Big-bang nucleosynthesis

- dynamics of production of light elements

- sensitivity to properties of elementary particles

7. Cosmic inflation

- problems of standard cosmology without inflation

- dynamics of inflation

- reheating after inflation

- particle physics models of inflation

8. Formation of large scale structures

- large scale structures observed

- gravitational instability in Newton's theory and in General Relativity

- initial conditions from inflation

- role of dark matter in formation of large scale structures

9. Cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB)

- experimental observations of CMB

- relation of the CMB spectrum and the parameters of cosmological models

E. Kolb, M. Turner: "The Early Universe"

S. Dodelson: "Modern Cosmology"

L. Bergstrom, A. Goobar: "Cosmology and Particle Physics"

D. Gorbunov, V. Rubakov: "Introduction to the Theory of the Early Universe"

1. Participation in lectures and classes

- up to 3 unexcused absences are allowed

(in justified cases the lecturer may allow for more than 3 absences)

2. Mid-term written test

3. Written and oral examinations