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Special Physics Colloquium: Evan Grohs (Michigan University)

August 17, 2020 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Title: Precision neutrino and nuclear physics in the early universe

Abstract: The next generation of cosmic observatories will provide 1% precision on parameters and observables. With such levels of precisions, cosmologists will have the best opportunity to verify the standard models of particle physics and cosmology, or perhaps reveal new physics beyond those models. In this talk, I will discuss my past research on characterizing the neutrino and nuclear sectors during big bang nucleosynthesis. At high temperature, the neutrinos and electromagnetic plasma maintain equilibrium with one another. The neutrinos and charged leptons decouple at lower temperatures which results in an order 1% larger neutrino energy density than expected from equilibrium considerations. Concurrently, the light nuclides evolve analogously, beginning in nuclear statistical equilibrium and eventually obtaining the primordial abundance freeze-out values. Within the standard model, I will discuss how to predict the neutrino parameters and primordial abundances. With an understanding of the predictions from the standard cosmology, we can begin to characterize signals from beyond standard model physics. I will conclude with a description of some future work beyond the standard model.

Host: Gail McLaughlin

Details

Date:
August 17, 2020
Time:
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Event Category:
Website:
https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/93960453844?pwd=aFphYndWTEZ1UlF5ekVyUERHQWpoQT09