PIRSA:23110081

The cosmology of electron scalars

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}}
          }

Zach Weiner

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics

Talk number
PIRSA:23110081
Collection
Talk Type
Subject
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