Cosmology for Particle Physicists

TL;DR

This paper provides an overview of cosmological concepts relevant to particle physicists, including general relativity, the standard cosmological model, inflation, structure formation, relics, dark matter candidates, and baryon asymmetry.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive, lecture-style introduction connecting cosmology and particle physics for researchers entering the field.

Findings

Summary of key cosmological signatures of the early universe

Discussion of relic particles as dark matter candidates

Insights into baryon asymmetry mechanisms

Abstract

In these notes we present a selection of topics, each section approximately amounting to one lecture. We begin with a brief recapitulation of General Relativity, and the Standard Model of Cosmology. This is followed by lectures on important signatures of the remote past. These include : (i) inflation, (ii) density perturbations leading to galaxy formation, (iii) study of hot and cold relics decoupled from the remaining constituents, some of which can be candidates for Dark Matter, (iv) baryon asymmetry of the Universe.