The standard model of cosmology and beyond: constraints and forecasts

  • Data: 29 novembre 2017 dalle 15:00 alle 16:00

  • Luogo: Aula Teorici, via Irnerio 46, Bologna

Contatto di riferimento:

Partecipanti: Dr. Hazra Dhiraj Kumar (INFN - Bologna)

Abstract: The standard model of cosmology assumes the primordial perturbations to be Gaussian and to have a power law spectrum. Cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarization spectra are the best probes till date, to test these assumptions. I will discuss a model independent reconstruction of the primordial power spectrum directly using the CMB angular power spectrum data from Planck. Direct reconstruction hints towards possible features in the data, which in turn indicate non-trivial inflationary dynamics. I will demonstrate the generation of these features in the primordial power spectra involving canonical scalar field driven inflation models, particularly in Wiggly Whipped Inflation framework. I will introduce the BI-spectra and Non-Gaussianity Operator (BINGO) for the efficient numerical computation of the primordial power spectrum and bi-spectrum. After presenting the recent constraints on the primordial features, I will discuss to what extent we can identify these features with future space based CMB survey. Using a non-standard model of reionization history, I will address the possible degeneracies between the primordial features and the process of reionization in the CMB data. Towards the last part of my talk, in order to explore another assumption in the standard model, I will discuss a model independent test of the isotropy of the matter dominated Universe using the Lyman-alpha forest data from the high redshift quasars.