New tests of fundamental physics with upcoming observations

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The current model of the universe, based on an inflationary beginning and the content presently dominated by dark matter and dark energy, has survived a decade of intense scrutiny. It is in an excellent agreement with the three main kinds of astronomical data available to us today -- fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the large scale distribution of galaxies, and the dimming of distant supernovae. However, the origin of inflation and its connection to the rest of high energy physics remains unresolved, as does the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Over the next decade, qualitative improvements are expected in all three types of data. Motivated by this prospect, our proposal focuses on two main directions. In one, we will concentrate on new observational tests of dark energy or, more generally, the gravitational physics causing the apparent acceleration of the universe. The other focus will be on processes that took place at high energies and whose observational signatures can either be confused with those of inflation or help to discriminate among different models of inflation.