U.S.-UK Cooperative Research: Topological Defects in Particle Physics and Cosmology

该奖项将支持布朗大学的Robert Brandenberger博士和英国剑桥大学的Anne Christine Davis博士在物理学方面的合作研究。这项拟议的研究涉及在许多粒子物理模型中出现的拓扑缺陷在宇宙学中所起的作用，反过来，通过研究粒子物理模型的宇宙学后果，可以对粒子物理模型施加约束。拓扑缺陷在宇宙学中扮演着越来越重要的角色。它们在许多理论中被用来解释星系、星系团和宇宙的大尺度结构的起源。具体地说，提出了研究拓扑缺陷的微观物理。还将探讨一些非标准粒子物理模型的宇宙学后果。这些研究可能会提供有关物质在能量下的状态的新信息，而这些能量是加速器永远无法获得的。该项目将受益于美国研究人员在宇宙学应用方面的互补专业知识和英国合作者在场论方面的经验。

This award will support collaborative research in physics between Dr. Robert Brandenberger, Brown University and Dr. Anne Christine Davis, University of Cambridge, England. The proposed research deals with the role which topological defects that arise in many particle physics models play in cosmology, and conversely, with the constraints that can be put on particle physics models by investigating their cosmological consequences. Topological defects are playing an increasing role in cosmology. They are invoked in many theories to explain the origin of galaxies, clusters and the large-scale structure of the universe. Specifically, it is proposed to study the microphysics of topological defects. Cosmological consequences of some non-standard particle physics models will also be explored. These studies may provide new information about the state of matter at energies which will never be accessible in accelerators. This project will benefit from the complementary expertise of the US investigator in cosmological applications and the experience in field theory of the British collaborator.