DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/4C41-YS12
Defense Date
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Physics and Applied Physics
First Advisor
Robert H. Gowdy
Second Advisor
Marilyn F. Bishop
Third Advisor
Denis Demchenko
Fourth Advisor
Marco Aldi
Abstract
ΛCDM cosmology is described in terms of general relativity and the Robertson-Walker metric. The evolution of the observable universe, currently dominated by dark energy (Λ) and cold dark matter (CDM), is presented in terms of its thermal history. CDM is extended to include an inflation epoch that accelerates the early expansion rate to near exponential levels. It is shown that inflation solves several problems in CDM and produces perturbations in the metric that lead to the observed anisotropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background and the formation of large scale cosmological structures. Various theories of inflation are explored. Predictions of inflation theories are compared to observations published by the Planck Collaboration. The paper concludes with an examination of “��-attractor” theories of inflation based on a modified form of gravity.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
11-24-2015