News & Events

  • Fundamental Tests of Cosmology

    April 1, 2014

    The cosmic microwave background (CMB), the "afterglow of creation," is a spectrum of 2.75K radiation. Small variations in the temperature at different directions on the sky give us clues to the large scale distribution of matter in the universe, spanning nearly 14 billion years of cosmic history. Small distortions of the spectrum -- departures from a perfect blackbody -- give deeper clues. We are currently using these spectral distortions in fundamental tests of cosmology, to probe theories of dark energy and dark matter.

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  • Physics of Cosmic Acceleration

    April 1, 2014

    The physics underlying the accelerated expansion of the universe is unknown. Most of my recent research aims to explore various explanations. Examples include: a dynamical scalar field, quintessence; new gravitational phenomena; and alternative scenarios that dispense with dark energy altogether. My students and I develop these ideas, to make predictions for comparison with observations and experiments. FACULTY CONTACT: Robert Caldwell

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  • Unification between the Weak and Gravitational Interactions

    April 1, 2014

    A few years ago I proposed a new unification between Einstein's theory of general relativity and the weak nuclear interaction. The theory identifies the space-time symmetry of the local Lorentz group with the weak isospin symmetry. Recently in a paper with Marciano and Smolin, we showed that this theory emerges naturally in a first order action principle. In this project we will investigate the cosmological and particle physics implications of this new unification programme. FACULTY CONTACT: Stephon Alexander

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  • David Lowe, Brown University

    March 7, 2014

    Topic: "Journeys Through Black Holes with Schrodinger's Cat"  (Video) Abstract: We explore some of the properties of black holes and the evidence for their existence. Many puzzles arise when the laws of quantum mechanics are applied to black holes, which are only to be resolved by invoking new physics. Some of the competing hypotheses are described.

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