PIRSA:23110081 Scientific Series Particle Physics

DOI10.48660/23110081

Series: Particle Physics

Weiner, Z. (2023). The cosmology of electron scalars. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/23110081

Weiner, Zach. The cosmology of electron scalars. Perimeter Institute, Nov. 28, 2023, https://pirsa.org/23110081 

@misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:23110081,
  doi = {10.48660/23110081},
  url = {https://pirsa.org/23110081},
  author = {Weiner, Zach},
  keywords = {Particle Physics},
  language = {en},
  title = {The cosmology of electron scalars},
  publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
  year = {2023},
  month = {nov},
  note = {PIRSA:23110081 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
}

Abstract

The cosmic microwave background is a sensitive probe of early-Universe physics, and yet fundamental constants at recombination can differ from their present-day values due to degeneracies in the standard cosmological model. Such scenarios have been invoked to reconcile discrepant measurements of the present-day expansion rate, but even absent such motivation they raise the intriguing possibility of yet-undiscovered physics coupled directly to Standard Model particles. I will discuss theories in which a new scalar field shifts the electron's mass at early times; viable models are already stringently constrained by measurements of quasar absorption lines, the abundances of light elements, and the universality of free fall. I will show that the remaining parameter space is exactly that which allows not only the primary cosmic microwave background but also low-redshift distances to be consistent with observations. After presenting the results of parameter inference I will discuss additional cosmological and laboratory signatures of the model.

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Zoom link https://pitp.zoom.us/j/99705853481?pwd=MTZRWC9hREkvOXpiZkxCM3UvdnRNQT09

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