Topological defects in Cosmology Research groups

The leading theories of fundamental physics involve energy scales so high that the Early Universe may be the only realistic ground to test them. Likewise, the data obtained from cosmological experiments need to be reconciled with the predictions from high-energy physics models. Making the connection between theory and observations involves solving problems which often require the development of new analytic as well as numerical methods in quantum field theory. This proposal aims to explore the cosmological implications of some of the most novel ideas about the evolution of the universe in its first instances where physics beyond the standard model ruled the dynamics of the universe.

The leading theories of fundamental physics involve energy scales so high that the Early Universe may be the only realistic ground to test them. Likewise, the data obtained from cosmological experiments need to be reconciled with the predictions from high-energy physics models. Making the connection between theory and observations involves solving problems which often require the development of new analytic as well as numerical methods in quantum field theory. This proposal aims to explore the cosmological implications of some of the most novel ideas about the evolution of the universe in its first instances where physics beyond the standard model ruled the dynamics of the universe.

In particular we will be investigating the observational signatures of networks of cosmic strings, topological defects that are predicted in many models of high energy physics. We will make an accurate prediction of the imprint of these networks on the gravitational wave spectrum, the CMB power spectra, as well as the possible presence of spectral distortion of the CMB.  These calculations will have a direct impact on some of the forthcoming experiments in these areas of research.

Furthermore, we will also look for the cosmological implications of many string theory based models. On the one hand, we will study the situations in which the models predict the existence of many different vacua within the same theory. The existence of this so-called Landscape points towards a radically different view of the universe at the largest possible scales. Our proposed research will try to uncover any observational signatures that such a new picture of the universe. On the other, we will continue to study the structure and properties of supergravity and supersymmetric branes, as important ingredients of supersymmetric and stringy cosmological scenarios.

Finally, from a more phenomenological perspective, we will also study the effects of anomalies in Quantum Field theory and explore the application of new developments  to problems related to the early universe physics.  For example, applying the kinetic theory of wave turbulence to the physics of the early universe, or the evolution of the primordial plasma in presence of magnetic fields.
 

Science field

Physical Sciences

Institution
University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
Main researcher
Urrestilla Urizabal, Jon
Address
Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnologia
How to arrive
Main research lines
  • Topological defects in Cosmology: We will study the formation, evolution, characteristics and cosmological consequences of networks of topological defects
  • The landscpe of string theory cosmology: We will study the properties of supersymmetric branes, as well as the the cosmological implications of the landscape paradigm
  • Anomalies in Quantum Field Theory: We will study the manifestations of anomalies in hydrodynamics and out-of-equilibrium systems, including their implications in Early Universe Physics