Introduction to Particle Physics and Cosmology

This textbook provides an accessible introduction to the basic concepts of relativistic cosmology and the standard big bang model of cosmology, along with an introduction to quantum field theory and the standard model of particle physics.

Readers are guided through the key concepts associated with the standard model of cosmology and the standard model of particle physics, providing them with the basic foundation needed to understand current research and literature on the physics of the early universe and modern particle physics.

It culminates with an introduction to the physics of the early universe and its imprint on the large-scale structure and the cosmic microwave background. It assumes a basic understanding of quantum mechanics, classical mechanics and electromagnetism. It is aimed at advanced undergraduates and first year beginning graduate students studying particle physics and/or cosmology.

Key Features:

• Provides a summary of the state-of-the-art tools and developments in cosmology and features end of chapter problems, alongside the basic tools for studies of inflation theory and early-universe cosmology
• Provides an understandable introduction to special and general relativity
• Includes an understandable introduction to the standard model of particle physics including group theory, gauge theories, quantum field theory, the Higgs mechanism and the Electroweak Lagrangian

Grant Mathews is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame, USA. His research interests involve the origin and evolution of matter in the universe from the first instants of cosmic expansion in the big bang to the present complex interactions of stars and gas in galaxies. He has developed supernova models and simulations of binary neutron stars to explore effects of the nuclear equation of state at high density. He is also studying inflation models of the early universe and the formaption of primordial black holes. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

Guobao Tang is a graduate student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame, USA. Her research interests involve the origin and evolution of galaxies as well as models for the influence of dark matter and galaxy environments on properties large-scale structure and galaxy systems.