Seminar RFF-candidate 2019, Djuna Croon (TRIUMF, Canada)

Djuna Croon (TRIUMF, Canada)
Title: ‘A new window onto the Early Universe’

Abstract:
I will discuss the unique opportunity to study the particle physics and cosmology of the first second of the Universe using gravitational waves (GW).  The focus of the talk will be on first order phase transitions in extensions to the Standard Model. Such phase transitions appear in many proposed solutions to open questions in particle physics and cosmology, such as in models that explain the matter/antimatter asymmetry, the strong CP-problem, and flavour mass hierarchies, as well as in hidden sectors and Grand Unified Theories. In anticipation of the next generation of GW experiments, I will discuss what we may learn about our cosmic origins, and comment on complementarity with other experimental efforts.