Quantum Field Theory and Cosmology

近年来最令人兴奋的事件之一是越来越多的证据表明，非常早期的宇宙经历了一段被称为原始膨胀的加速膨胀时期。在原初暴胀期间，通常很小的量子效应会大大增强。这些量子效应可以变得如此强大，以至于传统的计算技术无法使用。该项目的主要目标是开发可靠计算这些量子效应的新技术，以便人们可以准确地知道它们是什么。另一个目标是寻找这些增强的量子效应的可观测后果，这些量子效应可能伪装成引力的修改。这样的研究很有趣，因为当前宇宙的许多方面只有在不使用量子效应的情况下才能理解，假设宇宙进化是由大量的（约占总数的96%）的外来质量和能量，尚未在地球实验室中检测到。宇宙学中一些无法解释的特征可能是在原始暴胀期间变得强大的量子效应的结果。该项目的更广泛影响在于促进教学、培训和学习。

Among of the most exciting events of recent years has been the mounting evidence that the very early universe underwent a period of accelerated expansion known as primordial inflation. During primordial inflation there is a vast enhancement of quantum effects, which are ordinarily very small. These quantum effects can become so strong that conventional techniques for computing them break down. The main goal of this project is to develop new techniques for reliably computing these quantum effects, so that people can know precisely what they are. Another goal is to search for observable consequences of these enhanced quantum effects that may be masquerading as modifications of the gravitational force.Such a study is interesting because many aspects of the current universe can only be understood, without using quantum effects, by supposing that cosmological evolution is driven by enormous quantities (about 96% of the total) of exotic mass and energy that has not been detected in Earth-bound laboratories. It is possible that some of the inexplicable features of cosmology are the result of quantum effects that became strong during primordial inflation. The broader impacts of this project lie in the promotion of teaching, training and learning.