Categories:
When:
Friday, April 24, 2026 - 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Where:
Hugel 100
Professor Dan Grin from Haverford will tell us about his work on cosmology and the early universe!
"Constant evolution -- new tests of spatiotemporal evolution/variation in the electric charge using radio and microwave emission from the early universe."
Abstract
Beyond-the-standard-model (BSM) models of particle physics and a number of tantalizing astronomical observations may imply that the fundamental 'constants' of nature (e.g. the electric charge) could in fact vary in space and time. The well-characterized cosmic microwave background (CMB) and future measurements of radio emission at 21-cm wavelengths from neutral gas (before and after the formation of the first stars) offer pristine probes of atomic physics in the early universe. As a result, models where fundamental 'constants' vary can be tested using our radio/microwave observations of the early universe. I will discuss the key aspects of these BSM models, the relevant atomic physics, introduce the CMB and 21-cm primordial radiation, and then show completed and ongoing results testing these models with data, and forecasting the promise of future observations. If time remains, I will mention connections between these theories and the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Contact Prof. Douglas (douglste@lafayette.edu) with questions or for additional info
Sponsored by:
Physics Department