Conversations and Deliberations: Non-Standard Cosmological Epochs and Expansion Histories

TL;DR

This paper summarizes a workshop on non-standard cosmological epochs, emphasizing informal discussions and new research directions rather than traditional presentations or comprehensive reviews.

Contribution

It introduces a non-standard workshop format focused on free-form discussions to foster innovative ideas in cosmology research.

Findings

Stimulated new research ideas

Encouraged collaborative discussions

Highlighted diverse cosmological scenarios

Abstract

This document summarizes the discussions which took place during the PITT-PACC Workshop entitled "Non-Standard Cosmological Epochs and Expansion Histories," held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sept. 5-7, 2024. Much like the non-standard cosmological epochs that were the subject of these discussions, the format of this workshop was also non-standard. Rather than consisting of a series of talks from participants, with each person presenting their own work, this workshop was instead organized around free-form discussion blocks, with each centered on a different overall theme and guided by a different set of Discussion Leaders. This document is not intended to serve as a comprehensive review of these topics, but rather as an informal record of the discussions that took place during the workshop, in the hope that the content and free-flowing spirit of these discussions may inspire new ideas and research directions.