Electroweak Phase Transition, Scalar Dark Matter, and the LHC
Electroweak Phase Transition, Scalar Dark Matter, and the LHC
Michael Ramsey-Musolf, University of Wisconsin
Date and time:
Fri, Feb 17, 2012 - 2:00pm
Location:
LGRT 1033
Category:
ACFI Seminar
Speaker link:
http://home.physics.wisc.edu/~mjrm
Abstract:
The existence of scalar fields are often hypothesized to address questions in early universe cosmology. In this talk, I focus on two: Was there a first order phase transition during the electroweak symmetry-breaking era, as would be required for successful electroweak baryogenesis? What is the nature of the non-baryonic dark matter? I discuss how new scalar fields might address both of these questions, present our recent work on related theoretical and phenomenological issues, and highlight a few of the signatures one might observe at the Large Hadron Collider. I argue that the observation of new scalars that address these questions in cosmology might provide additional rationale for considering the role of the scalar fields more generally in the early universe.
The existence of scalar fields are often hypothesized to address questions in early universe cosmology. In this talk, I focus on two: Was there a first order phase transition during the electroweak symmetry-breaking era, as would be required for successful electroweak baryogenesis? What is the nature of the non-baryonic dark matter? I discuss how new scalar fields might address both of these questions, present our recent work on related theoretical and phenomenological issues, and highlight a few of the signatures one might observe at the Large Hadron Collider. I argue that the observation of new scalars that address these questions in cosmology might provide additional rationale for considering the role of the scalar fields more generally in the early universe.
Department of Physics