Speaker
Daniel Grin
(Haverford college)
Description
High-energy particle theory motivates that a very light (m<<10^{-12} eV) field may exist, in addition to the usual standard model spectrum. If so, such a field could contribute to the dark matter and dark energy of the universe at a broad range of epochs. In this talk, I will explore the impact of such a field as a dark matter component (though its impact on CMB anisotropies), as a contributor to late-time acceleration or early dark energy components, and as a field driving evolution in the fundamental constants of nature. I will connect theory to observations, and perhaps preview the promise of future CMB and other cosmological experiments.
