Astrophysics

We discuss the general structure of finite dimensional real Lie groups, which is called the Levi decomposition theorem. According to this classical result, any Lie group (up to global topology) splits as a semi-direct product of a non-semisimple part and of a semisimple part. In traditional gauge theory / field theory folklore mostly, only semisimple groups are considered. We will argue, that quite possibly non-semisimple, in particular so-called nilpotent Lie groups could also play a role for new kind of unification mechanisms.

Upcoming CMB and large-scale structure experimental data can be cross correlated to reconstruct the large-scale matter velocity field in a process called kinetic Sunyaev–Zel'dovich (kSZ) tomography. Similar to CMB lensing reconstruction, kSZ tomography provides a large-scale probe from small scale observations. kSZ tomography is a powerful probe of cosmology, in particular of primordial non-Gaussianity, and I will discuss how the scientific returns from upcoming galaxy surveys can be enhanced with this method. I will also discuss a general bispectrum approach to kSZ estimation, which unifies several previously known methods.