Primordial Cosmology

This book provides an extensive survey of all the physics necessary to understand the current developments in the field of fundamental cosmology, as well as an overview of the observational data and methods. It will help students to get into research by providing definitions and main techniques and ideas discussed today. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 summarises the fundamentals in theoretical physics needed in cosmology (general relativity, field theory, particle physics). Part 2 describes the standard model of cosmology and includes cosmological solutions of Einstein equations, the hot big bang model, cosmological perturbation theory, cosmic microwave background anisotropies, lensing and evidence for dark matter, and inflation. Part 3 describes extensions of this model and opens up current research in the field: scalar-tensor theories, supersymmetry, the cosmological constant problem and acceleration of the universe, topology of the universe, grand unification and baryogenesis, topological defects and phase transitions, string inspired cosmology including branes and the latest developments. The book provides details of all derivations and leads the student up to the level of research articles.

1 - General Relativity
2 - Overview of Particle Physics
3 - The Homogeneous Universe
4 - The Standard Big Bang Model
5 - The Inhomogeneous Universe
6 - The Cosmic Microwave Background
7 - Gravitational Lensing and Dark Matter
8 - Inflation
9 - Grand Unification and Baryogenesis
10 - Phase Transitions and Topological Defects
11 - Extensions of the Theoretical Framework
12 - Cosmological Extensions
13 - String Cosmology
A - Numerical Values
B - Special Functions
C - Useful Cosmological Quantities

P. Peter: Post-doctoral position at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), Cambridge University. Research positions: Chargé de Recherches (1994-2002), Medaille de bronze (bronze medal) du CNRS (1995), Directeur de Recherches, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris since 2002.; J.P. Uzan: Post-doctoral position at the Department of Theoretical Physics (DPT), Geneva University. Research positions: Chargé de Rechecherches au CNR, teaches the course of Theoretical Cosmology at the Ecole Normale Supérieure, teaches at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris.