Astrophysics

Infrared sensitivity of the de Sitter decay rate due to particle creation requires that gravitational backreaction be taken into account on the horizon scale. At lowest order, backreaction can be studied by Linear Response of the geometry to quantum matter perturbations around the Bunch-Davies state. In Linear Response the scalar degree of freedom derived from the conformal anomaly gives rise to scalar gravitational waves that grow without bound on the de Sitter horizon scale,  which implies substantial non-linear quantum backreaction effects in cosmology. Fluctuations in the conformalon scalar are potentially responsible for the primordial density fluctuations observed in the CMB anisotropy without an inflaton, and can also lead to dynamical, spacetime dependent dark energy. Possible observational tests of the conformal origin of primordial density fluctuations is suggested by the prediction of equality of scalar and tensor weight spectral indices, and the bispectral shape function of non-Gaussian correlations in the CMB predicted by conformal invariance.

Cosmological vacuum energy does not remain constant for the same reason that a uniform electric field cannot persist indefinitely in the presence of quantum fluctuations. The decay rate of the Bunch-Davies state of QFT in de Sitter space due to particle creation is calculated in real time by the same method as that for an electric field, giving Schwinger’s result.  In both the electric field and de Sitter cases the particles created are verified to be real, in that they persist in the final asymptotic region if the background field is switched off. The energy density of the particles decreases the vacuum energy and the Hubble expansion rate.

The sensitivity to infrared physics of this decay rate requires that gravitational backreaction be taken into account on the horizon scale. A Linear Response analysis shows the relevance of the scalar degree of freedom of the conformal anomaly to de Sitter instability, backreaction and screening of vacuum energy. The conformalon scalar gives rise to cosmological horizon modes that can generate the primordial density fluctuations observed in the CMB anisotropy, and lead to dynamical, spacetime dependent dark energy. Possible observational tests of the conformal quantum origin of primordial density fluctuations is suggested by the prediction of equality of scalar and tensor weights spectral indices, and the bispectral shape function of non-Gaussian correlations in the CMB.

Introduction of the torsion tensor on the space-time manifold  leads to a Weyl invariant geometry, in which t e torsion trace acts as a "U(1)" compensating field for the conformal transformations. Such  symmetry can be extended to the whole matter sector included in the  standard model by coupling the Higgs scalar (and all other possible  fundamental scalars) to the torsion. A relevant question is then whether such framework can be used to describe cosmic inflation, as a spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomenon. It turns out that this is indeed possible because the Weyl invariance imposes a distinct field space geometry, which introduces a slow roll plateau in the otherwise  too steep quartic potential dictated by Weyl symmetry. The model can  have observable consequences that distinguish it from other inflationary scenarios, at least under some choices of initial conditions.

In this talk I will discuss several aspects of using the 21cm Intensity Mapping (IM) as a Large-Scale Structure (LSS) probe in order to better constrain the cosmological parameters. I will start with a Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) reconstruction method intended for 21cm IM observations at low redshifts. I will then present the predictions and gains of performing 21cm IM surveys at redshift range which is currently vastly unobserved (2<z<6). Finally I will show the results of using existing data (ALFALFA & SDSS) to place constraints on the distribution of neutral hydrogen (HI) in dark matter halos as a function of the halo mass. This is then used to constrain and improve the HI halo model needed to make accurate and precise predictions on the 21cm signal and the noise.

In July 2018 the Planck Collaboration released its final set of cosmology results. I will discuss some of the  interesting new science that remains to be done with the CMB, including some not so often discussed topics such as the kinetic SZ effect and 21cm cross-correlations.

Jocelyn Bell Burnell, winner of the 2018 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, is an accomplished scientist and champion for women in physics. As a graduate student in 1967, she co-discovered pulsars, a breakthrough widely considered one of the most important scientific advances of the 20th century. When the discovery of pulsars was recognized with the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physics, the award went to her graduate advisor. Undaunted, she persevered and became one of the most prominent researchers in her field and an advocate for women and other under-represented groups in physics.

She plans to use the $3 million Breakthrough Prize to fund women and other under-represented groups pursuing physics to bring greater diversity to the field.