Title: Introduction to the theory of the early universe : hot big bang theory /
Authors: Gorbunov, D. S.; Rubakov, V. A.
Publisher: World Scientific,
Year: 2011
Subjects: Big bang theory; Expanding universe; Particles (Nuclear physics)
Abstract: This book is written from the viewpoint of a deep connection between cosmology and particle physics. It presents the results and ideas on both the homogeneous and isotropic Universe at the hot stage of its evolution and in later stages. The main chapters describe in a systematic and pedagogical way established facts and concepts on the early and the present Universe. The comprehensive treatment, hence, serves as a modern introduction to this rapidly developing field of science. To help in reading the chapters without having to constantly consult other texts, essential materials from General Relativity and the theory of elementary particles are collected in the appendices. Various hypotheses dealing with unsolved problems of cosmology, and often alternative to each other, are discussed at a more advanced level. These concern dark matter, dark energy, matter-antimatter asymmetry, etc.
Contents: 1. Cosmology : a preview. 1.1. Units. 1.2. The universe today. 1.3. Energy balance in the present universe. 1.4. Future of the universe. 1.5. Universe in the past. 1.6. Structure formation in the universe. 1.7. Inflationary epoch -- 2. Homogeneous isotropic universe. 2.1. Homogeneous isotropic spaces. 2.2. Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker metric. 2.3. Redshift. Hubble Law. 2.4. Slowing down of relative motion. 2.5. Gases of free particles in expanding universe -- 3. Dynamics of cosmological expansion. 3.1. Friedmann equation. 3.2. Sample cosmological solutions. Age of the universe. Cosmological horizon. 3.3. Solutions with recollapse -- 4. [Symbol]CDM : Cosmological model with dark matter and dark energy. 4.1. Composition of the present universe. 4.2. General properties of cosmological evolution. 4.3. Transition from deceleration to acceleration. 4.4. Transition from radiation domination to matter domination. 4.5. Present age of the universe and horizon size. 4.6. Brightness-Redshift relation for distant standard candles. 4.7. Angular sizes of distant objects. 4.8. Quintessence -- 5. Thermodynamics in expanding universe. 5.1. Distribution functions for bosons and fermions. 5.2. Entropy in expanding universe. Baryon-to-photon ratio. 5.3. Models with intermediate matter dominated stage : Entropy generation. 5.4. Inequilibrium processes -- 6. Recombination. 6.1. Recombination temperature in equilibrium approximation. 6.2. Photon last scattering in real universe. 6.3. Kinetic equilibrium. 6.4. Horizon at recombination and its present angular size. Spatial flatness of the universe.