• Refine Query
  • Source
  • Publication year
  • to
  • Language
  • 361
  • 55
  • 48
  • 31
  • 8
  • 4
  • 3
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • Tagged with
  • 570
  • 570
  • 201
  • 129
  • 111
  • 105
  • 91
  • 91
  • 88
  • 79
  • 71
  • 69
  • 63
  • 61
  • 55
  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
481

Phenomenology of models with new fermions and dark matter candidates

Vargas, Daniel Alberto Camargo January 2018 (has links)
Orientador: Prof. Dr. Alex Gomes Dias / Coorientador: Prf. Dr. Alexandre Alves / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Santo André, 2018.
482

Gravitação com dimensões extras e uma interpretação da matéria escura / Gravity with extra dimensions and an interpretation of dark matter

Coimbra-Araújo, Carlos Henrique 14 August 2018 (has links)
Orientador: Patricio Anibal Letelier Sotomayor / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Fisica "Gleb Wataghin" / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T18:55:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Coimbra-Araujo_CarlosHenrique_D.pdf: 1401888 bytes, checksum: ea7cff271a9dd2f1aba347507e316ac1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: Neste trabalho é apresentada uma nova abordagem teórica e semifenomenológica acerca do que dimensões extras poderiam representar na explicação do que é a matéria escura. Aqui mostra-se que a gravitação baseada numa ação de Einstein-Hilbert para espaços-tempo com dimensão acima de quatro, produz um termo de força extra nas equações de movimento de um sistema de partículas teste, o que pode ser aplicado ao problema do campo gerado por alguma estrutura autogravitante, como clusters esféricos ou discos, por exemplo. Tal resultado é explorado no cálculo de configurações que possam mimetizar uma galáxia real. As configurações calculadas são o disco fino - a partir do método de imagens - e também a distribuição isotrópica de Miyamoto-Nagai - que reproduz o comportamento idealizado de uma galáxia espiral graças à estratificação de matéria num bojo central mais um disco galático. Para tais configurações são calculadas as curvas de rotação bem como a sua estabilidade, perfis de densidade e pressão, e mostra-se que no domínio onde as curvas são estáveis há a possibilidade de se reproduzir os resultados observacionais usualmente relacionados à incidência de um halo escuro. Nos modelos apresentados, no entanto, não há inclusão de matéria escura. O cálculo de lentes gravitacionais para clusters esféricos também é desenvolvido, indicando que as dimensões extras promovem desvios capazes de explicar as anomalias nas observações astronômicas de aglomerados de galáxias. Os resultados são amplamente discutidos e algumas comparações fenomenológicas são feitas. Dos resultados em estruturas autogravitantes, conclui-se que a presença de dimensões extras (sem matéria escura) é equivalente ao procedimento usual de se adicionar matéria escura às configurações calculadas, o que poderia levar à interpretação de que a matéria escura é apenas o produto de um desconhecimento acerca da natureza do espaço-tempo / Abstract: In the present work it is showed a new theoretical and semiphenomenological approach concerning what extra dimensions could represent to explain the nature of dark matter. Here the gravitation based on an multidimensional Einstein-Hilbert action reveals that an extra force term appears in the equations of motion for a system of test particles, that can be applied for the problem of the field produced by a self gravitating structure, as for instaure spherical clusters or disks. Such results are explored in the calculation of configurations that mimic real galaxies. The computed configurations are the thin disk - from the inverse method - and also the isotropic distribution of Miyamoto-Nagai - that reproduces the idealized behavior of a disk galaxy thanks to the stratification of matter in a central bulge plus a disk. The rotation curves, the stability, density and pressure profiles are calculated. In the domain where the curves are stable it is possible to reproduce observational results usually related to a dark halo. In present models, however, there is no inclusion of dark matter. It is also presented the calculation for gravitationallensing of spherical clusters, indicating that extra dimensions promote deviations capable to explain anomalies in the astronomical observation of many galaxy clusters. The results are widely discussed and some phenomenological comparisons are made. From results for self gravitating objects, one concludes that the presence of extra dimensions (without dark matter) is equivalent to the effect due to addition of dark matter in the calculated configurations. This could lead to the interpretation where dark matter concerns to an unfamiliarity related to the real structure of spacetime / Doutorado / Relatividade e Gravitação / Doutor em Física
483

Propriedades dinâmicas da matéria escura / Dynamical properties of the dark matter

Leandro José Beraldo e Silva 05 February 2015 (has links)
Esta tese tem como objetivo o estudo de aspectos dinâmicos e estatísticos da matéria escura em distribuições esféricas de massa. O fato de suas partículas constituintes interagirem gravitacionalmente mas não eletromagneticamente, e portanto sua evolução ser regida por interações de longo alcance, traz algumas complicações teóricas na descrição de suas propriedades nos termos da mecânica estatística, dificuldades compartilhadas com sistemas auto-gravitantes em geral. Para melhor compreender essas propriedades, estudamos as distribuições de matéria escura em três abordagens diferentes. Na primeira, utilizamos dados observacionais, utilizando lentes gravitacionais, em aglomerados de galáxias para comparar a performance de alguns modelos propostos para o perfil de densidade da matéria escura. Dividimos estes modelos em fenomenológicos ou teóricos. Dos primeiros, todos são capazes de descrever os dados observacionais com performance comparável. Entre os modelos teóricos estudados, o modelo chamado DARKexp descreve os dados tão bem quanto os primeiros. Numa segunda abordagem, utilizamos dados de simulações numéricas para testar uma função proposta para a distribuição de velocidades das partículas. Esta função inclui a anisotropia no campo de velocidades na chamada distribuição q-gaussiana. Comparamos a performance desta função com a da função gaussiana e concluímos que a primeira representa uma melhor descrição dos dados, mesmo levando em conta a introdução de um parâmetro extra, apesar de ainda apresentar algumas discrepâncias, especialmente nas regiões internas dos halos. Por fim, discutimos a possível relevância do conceito de indistinguibilidade na determinação dos estados de equilíbrio de sistemas auto-gravitantes em geral, propondo uma associação deste conceito com o nível de mistura do sistema. Implementamos esta associação numa análise combinatória e estudamos as conseqüências para a determinação da função distribuição e do perfil de densidades. Esta associação também levanta algumas dúvidas sobre a validade da equação de Vlasov durante o processo de relaxação violenta. / This thesis aims to study the dynamic and statistical aspects of dark matter in spherical distributions. The fact that their constituent particles interact gravitationally but not electromagnetically, and therefore its evolution is governed by long-range interactions, brings some theoretical complications in their description in terms of the statistical mechanics, difficulties shared with self-gravitating systems in general. To better understand these properties, we studied the distributions of dark matter in three different approaches. First, we used observational data, using gravitational lensing in galaxy clusters to compare the performance of some proposed models for the dark matter density profile. We divide these models in phenomenological or theoretical. All of the formers are able to describe the observational data with comparable performance. Among the theoretical models studied, the model called DARKexp describes the data as well as the formers. In a second approach, we use numerical simulation data to test a proposed function for the velocity distribution. This function includes the velocity anisotropy into the so called q-Gaussian distribution. We compared the performance of this function with the Gaussian function and concluded that the first is a better description of the data, even taking into account the introduction of an extra parameter, although still presenting some discrepancies, especially in the inner regions of the halo. Finally, we discuss the relevance of the concept of indistinguishability in determining the states of equilibrium of self-gravitating systems in general, suggesting an association of this concept with the mixing level of the system. We implement this association in a combinatorial analysis and study the consequences for the determination of the distribution function and the density profile. This association also raises some questions about the validity of the Vlasov equation during the process of violent relaxation.
484

Sinais experimentais de matéria escura supermassiva e fortemente interagente / Experimental signal of strongly interacting supermassive dark matter

Leandro José Beraldo e Silva 03 November 2010 (has links)
Há várias evidências experimentais da existência de matéria escura no universo. Apesar destas evidências, pouco se sabe sobre sua constituição, sabendo-se apenas que interage gravitacionalmente, mas não eletromagneticamente. Neste projeto, investigamos a possibilidade da matéria escura ser composta por partículas supermassivas e fortemente interagentes (Simpzillas). Para isto determinamos o sinal que deve ser deixado no telescópio IceCube por neutrinos resultantes de aniquilações de matéria escura no Sol. Após determinarmos o espectro de neutrinos no centro do Sol, simulamos sua propagação até a superfície, depois até a Terra e através da Terra até o detector. Comparamos então estes resultados com os fornecidos pelo IceCube. Esta comparação permite testar uma região do espaço de fase massa versus seção de choque previamente não-excluída por outros tipos de experiência que não telescópios de neutrinos. Como resultado, concluímos que partículas supermassivas e fortemente interagentes não podem constituir a matéria escura. / There are many experimental evidences for the existence of dark matter in the universe. Despite these evidences, there is no knowledge about its constitution other than the fact that it interacts gravitationally but not electromagnetically. In this project, we investigate the possibility that dark matter is composed of strongly interacting massive particles (Simpzillas). We determine the expected signal in the IceCube telescope from Simpzilla annihilation in the center of the Sun. We first determine the neutrino spectrum in the core of the Sun. We then simulate its propagation through both the Sun and Earth, and finally the rate of neutrinos at the detector. A comparison of these results to the ones published by the IceCube collaboration covers a large region of the yet not excluded regions of the mass versus cross-section phase space. As a result, the possibility of Simpzillas composing the dark matter is ruled out.
485

Modèles effectifs de nouvelle physique au Large Hadron Collider / Effective Models of new physics at the Large Hadron Collider

Llodra-Perez, Jérémie 01 July 2011 (has links)
Grâce à l’exploitation du Large Hadron Collider, débutée en 2010, le monde de la physique des particules espère enfin avoir une compréhension plus précise du mécanisme de brisure de la symétrie électrofaible et résoudre certaines questions expérimentales et théoriques que soulèvent encore le modèle standard. S’inscrivant dans cette effervescence scientifique, nous allons présenter dans ce manuscrit une paramétrisation largement indépendante des modèles afin de caractériser les effets d’une éventuelle nouvelle physique sur les mécanismes de production et de désintégration du bosons de Higgs. Ce nouvel outil pourra aisément être utilisé dans les analyses des grandes expériences généralistes comme CMS et ATLAS afin de valider ou d’exclure de manière significative certaines théories au delà du modèle standard. Ensuite, dans une approche différente, fondée sur la construction de modèles, nous avons considéré un scenario où les champs du modèle standard peuvent se propager dans un espace plat possédant six dimensions. Les nouvelles directions spatiales supplémentaires sont compactifiées sur un Plan Projectif Réel. Cet orbifold original est l’unique géométrie à six dimensions qui présente des fermions chiraux et un candidat de matière noire dit naturel. Le photon scalaire, particule la plus légère du premier mode de Kaluza-Klein, est en effet stabilisé par une symétrie résiduelle de l’invariance de Lorentz à six dimensions. En utilisant les contraintes actuelles fournies par les observations cosmologiques, nous avons déterminé l’ordre de grandeur de la masse de cette particule aux alentours d’une centaine de GeV. De ce fait les nouveaux états présents dans cette théorie sont suffisamment légers pour produire des signatures claires et observables au Large Hadron Collider. Avec une étude plus poussée du spectre de masses et des couplages du modèle, incluant les corrections radiatives à une boucle, nous avons pu ainsi donner les premières prédictions et contraintes sur la phénoménologie attendue au Large Hadron Collider. / With the start of the Large Hadron Collider runs, in 2010, particle physicists will be soon able to have a better understanding of the electroweak symmetry breaking. They might also answer to many experimental and theoretical open questions raised by the Standard Model. Surfing on this really favorable situation, we will first present in this thesis a highly modelindependent parametrization in order to characterize the new physics effects on mechanisms of production and decay of the Higgs boson. This original tool will be easily and directly usable in data analysis of CMS and ATLAS, the huge generalist experiments of LHC. It will help indeed to exclude or validate significantly some new theories beyond the Standard Model. In another approach, based on model-building, we considered a scenario of new physics, where the Standard Model fields can propagate in a flat six-dimensional space. The new spatial extra-dimensions will be compactified on a Real Projective Plane. This orbifold is the unique six-dimensional geometry which possesses chiral fermions and a natural Dark Matter candidate. The scalar photon, which is the lightest particle of the first Kaluza-Klein tier, is stabilized by a symmetry relic of the six dimension Lorentz invariance. Using the current constraints from cosmological observations and our first analytical calculation, we derived a characteristic massrange around few hundred GeV for the Kaluza-Klein scalar photon. Therefore the new states of our Universal Extra-Dimension model are light enough to be produced through clear signatures at the Large Hadron Collider. So we used a more sophisticated analysis of particle mass spectrum and couplings, including radiative corrections at one-loop, in order to establish our first predictions and constraints on the expected LHC phenomenology
486

Théorie Lagrangienne Relativiste de la Formation des Grandes Structures : description Intrinsèque des Perturbations et Gravitoélectromagnétisme / On the Lagrangian Theory of Structure Formation in Relativistic Cosmology : intrinsic Perturbation Approach and Gravitoelectromagnetism

Al Roumi, Fosca 18 September 2015 (has links)
La dynamique de formation des structures de l'Univers est habituellement décrite dans le cadre du modèle standard de Cosmologie. Cependant, pour que les observations cosmologiques soient cohérentes avec le modèle standard, il est nécessaire de supposer l'existence d'une grande proportion d'éléments de nature inconnue dans le contenu de l'Univers. Pour tenter de résoudre cette énigme, nous ne considèrerons pas d'autres sources dans le contenu de l'Univers que celles ordinaires et resterons dans le cadre de la Relativité Générale. Nous développerons néanmoins une description plus réaliste de la formation de structures dans le cadre de la théorie d'Einstein. Ainsi, contrairement au modèle standard de Cosmologie, nous ne supposerons pas que l'Univers moyenné est une solution homogène et isotrope des équations d'Einstein. Lors de mon travail sous la direction de Thomas Buchert, j'ai participé au développement d'un formalisme perturbatif permettant une description plus réaliste de la dynamique de l'espace-temps. J'ai également contribué à l'obtention de solutions relativistes à la partie gravitoélectrique des équations d'Einstein en généralisant les solutions perturbatives newtoniennes. Ces travaux ont été réalisés dans le cadre d'une approche lagrangienne intrinsèque, évitant ainsi de définir les grandeurs physiques sur un fond plat. L'approche gravitoélectromagnétique que j'ai adoptée m'a permis une interprétation nouvelle et performante des solutions des équations d'Einstein. Enfin, j'ai étudié l'impact de la topologie sur la dynamique des ondes gravitationelles à l'aide d'une description globale de l'hypersurface spatiale, permise par des théorèmes mathématiques puissants / The dynamics of structure formation in the Universe is usually described by Newtonian numerical simulations and analytical models in the frame of the Standard Model of Cosmology. The structures are then defined on a homogeneous and isotropic background. Such a description has major drawbacks since, to be self-consistent, it entails a large amount of dark components in the content of the Universe. To address the problem of dark matter and dark energy, we will neither suppose that exotic sources contribute to the content of the Universe, nor that General Relativity is obsolete. We will develop a more realistic description of structure formation in the frame of General Relativity and thus no longer assume that the average model is a homogeneous-isotropic solution of the Einstein equations, as claimed by the Standard Model of Cosmology. During my work under the supervision of Thomas Buchert, I contributed to the development of the perturbative formalism that enables a more realistic description of spacetime dynamics. In the framework of the intrinsic Lagrangian approach, which avoids defining physical quantities on a flat background, I contributed to the building of relativistic solutions to the gravitoelectric part of the Einstein equations from the generalization of the Newtonian perturbative solutions. Moreover, the gravitoelectromagnetic approach I worked with has provided a new understanding of the dynamics of the analytical solutions to the field equations. Finally, treating globally the spatial manifold, I used powerful mathematical tools and theorems to describe the impact of topology on the dynamics of gravitational waves
487

Search for dark matter with EDELWEISS-III excluding background from muon-induced neutrons / Recherche de matière noire avec l'expérience EDELWEISS-III excluant le bruit de fond neutron induit par les muons

Kéfélian, Cécile 05 February 2016 (has links)
Le but de l'expérience EDELWEISS est la détection directe de matière noire sousforme de WIMPs, par l'étude de leur diffusion élastique sur les noyaux de germanium des détecteurs bolomètriques. Le plus problématique des bruits de fond provient des neutrons pouvant mimer l'interaction d'un WIMP dans un détecteur. Ces neutrons sont notamment produits par les rares muons cosmiques de haute énergie qui atteignent le laboratoire souterrain malgré les 4800 m w.e. de roche. Les muons résiduels sont détectés par un système veto de 46 modules de scintillateur plastique entourant l'expérience, qui permet de rejeter la plupart du bruit de fond associé. La détermination précise du bruit de fond neutron résiduel induit par ces muons dans EDELWEISS-III, essentielle pour l'identification des WIMPs, est le but de cette thèse. Le taux de bruit de fond dépend de la géométrie de l'expérience ainsi que des matériaux utilisés, qui ont subi d'importantes modifications depuis EDELWEISS-II. Des simulations GEANT4 du passage des muons dans la nouvelle géométrie ont été réalisées afin d'extraire le taux d'événements induits par les muons dans les bolomètres. Ce taux est en bon accord avec le taux mesuré extrait des données du Run308. En parallèle, une limite inférieure sur l'efficacité du veto muon a été extraite à partir des données bolomètres. Une nouvelle méthode basée sur l'utilisation d'une source d'AmBe a été développée afin d'extraire l'efficacité de chaque module de la simulation. À partir de ces résultats, il a été montré que le bruit de fond attendu est négligeable pour la recherche de WIMPs avec les données du Run308 et ne limitera pas la sensibilité future d'EDELWEISS-III / The aim of the EDELWEISS-III experiment is to detect the elastic scattering of WIMPs from the galactic dark matter halo on germanium bolometers. The most problematic background arises from neutrons, which can mimic a WIMP interaction in a detector. Neutrons are notably induced by high energy cosmic ray muons reaching the underground laboratory despite the 4800 m w.e. of rock overburdened. Remaining muons are tagged using an active muon-veto system of 46 plastic scintillator modules surrounding the experiment, which allows to reject most of the associated background. The goal of this thesis was to give a precise estimation of the irreducible muon-induced neutron background, needed to identify a potential WIMP signal. The expected background depends on the geometry of the experiment as well as on the used materials, both strongly modified since EDELWEISS-II. Geant4-based simulations of muons through the modified geometry were performed to derive the rate of events induced by muons in the bolometer array. This rate has been shown to be in good agreement with the measured one extracted from the Run308 data. In parallel, a lower limit on the muon-veto efficiency was derived using bolometer data only. A new method based on an AmBe source was developed to extract precisely the detection efficiency of individual modules from the simulation. From these results, it was shown that the expected background is negligible for the WIMP search analyses performed with the Run308 data and won't limit the future sensitivity of the EDELWEISS-III experiment
488

Symétrie électrofaible à la lumière du LHC / Electroweak symmetry breaking in the light of LHC

Kubik, Bogna 05 October 2012 (has links)
Les extensions du Modèle Standard (MS) des particules sont maintenant dans une époque de développement très actif. Les motivations de l'introduction des dimensions supplémentaires sont basées d'une part sur la théorie des cordes qui nécessitent l'existence de nouvelles dimensions pour être cohérent. D'un autre côté ces théories peuvent potentiellement expliquer le problème de hiérarchie, le nombre de générations de fermions ou la stabilité du proton. La caractéristique commune de ces modèles est qu'ils fournissent une nouvelle particule neutre interagissant faiblement –un candidat idéal de la matière noire. Sa stabilité est préservée par la parité KK qui interdit les désintégrations du LKP en particules du MS. La géométrie de l'espace sous-jacent détermine le spectre de particules du modèle donc la masse et le spin du candidat DM, qui à leur tour jouent un rôle clé dans les études phénoménologiques. Nous présentons un modèle à deux dimensions supplémentaires universelles compactifiées sur le plan projectif réel. Cette géométrie particulière permet la définition des fermions chiraux et la stabilité de la matière noire neutre candidat dérive naturellement des propriétés intrinsèques de l'espace sans ajouter de nouvelles symétries ad hoc. Nous présentons le spectre de deux premiers niveaux KK à une boucle. Le spectre au sein de chaque niveau KK est fortement dégénéré ce qui fournit des signatures très intéressantes du modèle. Nous étudions la phénoménologie de la matière noire dans notre modèle pour limiter l'espace des paramètres en comparant nos résultats avec les données de WMAP et les expériences de détection directe. En utilisant les bornes obtenues, nous nous concentrons sur la phénoménologie LHC de notre modèle / The extra-dimensional extensions of the Standard Model of particles are now in a very active epoch of development. The motivations of introducing extra dimensions are based on one hand on string theories that require the existence of new dimensions to be consistent. On the other hand such theories can potentially explain the hierarchy problem, number of fermion generations, proton stability and other enigmas of the Standard Model. The common feature of these models is that they provide a new neutral weakly interacting particle - perfect candidate to the Dark Matter. Its stability is preserved by the so-called KK parity which prohibits the decays of the LKP into SM particles. The geometry of the underlying space determines the particle spectrum of the model, thus the mass and the spin of the DM candidate, which in turn plays the key role in the phenomenological studies We present a model with two universal extra dimensions compactified on a real projective plane. This particular geometry is chosen because chiral fermions can be defined on such orbifold and the stability of the neutral dark matter candidate arise naturally from the intrinsic geometrical properties of the space without adding any new symmetries ad hoc. We present the particle spectrum at loop order up to the second level in Kaluza-Klein expansion. The particularity of the spectrum is that the mass splittings within each KK level are highly degenerated providing a very interesting potential signatures in the LHC. We study the dark matter phenomenology in our model and constrain the parameter space by comparing our results with WMAP data and direct detection experiments. Using the obtained bounds we focus on the collider phenomenology of our model
489

Kinematics and dynamics pf giant stars in the solar neighbourhood

Famaey, Benoît 29 September 2004 (has links)
We study the motion of giant stars in the Solar neighbourhood and what they tell us about the dynamics of the Galaxy: we thus contribute to the huge project of understanding the structure and evolution of the Galaxy as a whole. <p><p>We present a kinematic analysis of 5952 K and 739 M giant stars which includes for the first time radial velocity data from an important survey performed with the CORAVEL spectrovelocimeter at the Observatoire de Haute Provence. Parallaxes from the Hipparcos catalogue and proper motions from the Tycho-2 catalogue are also used.<p><p>A maximum-likelihood method, based on a bayesian approach, is applied to the data, in order to make full use of all the available stars, and to derive the kinematic properties of the subgroups forming a rich small-scale structure in velocity space. Isochrones in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram reveal a very wide range of ages for stars belonging to these subgroups, which are thus most probably related to the dynamical perturbation by transient spiral waves rather than to cluster remnants. A possible explanation for the presence of young group/clusters in the same area of velocity space is that they have been put there by the spiral wave associated with their formation, while the kinematics of the older stars of our sample has also been disturbed by the same wave. The emerging picture is thus one of "dynamical streams" pervading the Solar neighbourhood and travelling in the Galaxy with a similar spatial velocity. The term "dynamical stream" is more appropriate than the traditional term "supercluster" since it involves stars of different ages, not born at the same place nor at the same time. We then discuss, in the light of our results, the validity of older evaluations of the Solar motion in the Galaxy. <p><p>We finally argue that dynamical modeling is essential for a better understanding of the physics hiding behind the observed kinematics. An accurate axisymmetric model of the Galaxy is a necessary starting point in order to understand the true effects of non-axisymmetric perturbations such as spiral waves. To establish such a model, we develop new galactic potentials that fit some fundamental parameters of the Milky Way. We also develop new component distribution functions that depend on three analytic integrals of the motion and that can represent realistic stellar disks. / Doctorat en sciences, Spécialisation physique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished
490

The early universe as a probe of new physics

Bird, Christopher Shane 05 December 2008 (has links)
The Standard Model of Particle Physics has been verified to unprecedented precision in the last few decades. However there are still phenomena in nature which cannot be explained, and as such new theories will be required. Since terrestrial experiments are limited in both the energy and precision that can be probed, new methods are required to search for signs of physics beyond the Standard Model. In this dissertation, I demonstrate how these theories can be probed by searching for remnants of their effects in the early Universe. In particular I focus on three possible extensions of the Standard Model: the addition of massive neutral particles as dark matter, the addition of charged massive particles, and the existence of higher dimensions. For each new model, I review the existing experimental bounds and the potential for discovering new physics in the next generation of experiments. For dark matter, I introduce six simple models which I have developed, and which involve a minimum amount of new physics, as well as reviewing one existing model of dark matter. For each model I calculate the latest constraints from astrophysics experiments, nuclear recoil experiments, and collider experiments. I also provide motivations for studying sub-GeV mass dark matter, and propose the possibility of searching for light WIMPs in the decay of B-mesons and other heavy particles. For charged massive relics, I introduce and review the recently proposed model of catalyzed Big Bang nucleosynthesis. In particular I review the production of Li6 by this mechanism, and calculate the abundance of Li7 after destruction of Be7 by charged relics. The result is that for certain natural relics CBBN is capable of removing tensions between the predicted and observed Li6 and Li7 abundances which are present in the standard model of BBN. For extra dimensions, I review the constraints on the ADD model from both astrophysics and collider experiments. I then calculate the constraints on this model from Big Bang nucleosynthesis in the early Universe. I also calculate the bounds on this model from Kaluza-Klein gravitons trapped in the galaxy which decay to electron-positron pairs, using the measured 511 keV gamma-ray flux. For each example of new physics, I find that remnants of the early Universe provide constraints on the models which are complimentary to the existing constraints from colliders and other terrestrial experiments.

Page generated in 0.0501 seconds