INTRODUCTION TO COSMOLOGY
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- Versione italiana
- Academic year
- 2022/2023
- Teacher
- MASSIMILIANO LATTANZI
- Credits
- 6
- Didactic period
- Primo Semestre
- SSD
- FIS/05
Training objectives
- The course will provide a simple, not overly formal yet solid introduction to modern cosmology. The current cosmological model will be addressed in view of the available observational evidence, part of which is extremely recent. The course aims at providing a unitary view of the field, as well as a few basic tools which should turn out useful to those aiming at taking more specialistic courses in this field in a near future.
Prerequisites
- Knowledge of Newtonian mechanics at the level of first year courses in Physics. Possessing basic knowledge of special relativity is not required but may turn out useful. It could also help having previously encountered basic topics in quantum and statistical physics (e.g., black body radiation)
Course programme
- Fundamental observations [4 hours]: homogeneity, isotropy, a universe full of particles
Kinematic of the Universe [4 hours]: Expansion, Hubble law, propper distance
Dynamics of the Universe [8 hours]: Friedmann equation, single component Universe, basic treatment of multiple component universe and the equation of state
Measurements [4 hours]: Cosmic ladder, standard candles, angular diameter distance, basics of cosmological parameter estimation
Phenomenology of the Universe [4 hours]: Visible and dark matter, the non homogeneous Universe
thermal history [8 hours]: Cosmic background radiation, recombination, basic elements on primordial nucleosynthesis
The early universe [8 hours] : Problems of the big bang standard model (flatness, horizons), the inflationary paradigm as a solution
Cosmological perturbations [8 hours]: Gravitational instability (Jeans length, power spectrum), cosmic microwave background anisotropies Didactic methods
- lessons will be taught with slides complemented by thorough explanations, using also the blackboard. All material will be made available. Questions from students are solicited and most welcome, as they represent a fundamental part of the learning process
Learning assessment procedures
- Oral exams, using white paper or the blackboard, at the student's choice. Typical duration of the exam, 30 to 45 minutes.
Reference texts
- A. Liddle, An Introduction to Modern Cosmology, 3rd Edition
B. Ryden, Introduction to Cosmology, Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition
F. Lucchin, Introduzione alla cosmologia, Zanichelli (in Italian)
Material made available online by the lecturer
