HONOURS PHYSICS SEMINAR
Looking at the Phase Space of Scalar Field Cosmology
Charles Protheroe
Bishop’s University
Friday, February 3, 2012
1:30 p.m.
Nicolls 213
Abstract:
In cosmology, the evolving universe has been modeled in several different ways. I will be looking at scalar field models in an attempt to discover as much as possible about the dynamics of the universe without specifying a scalar field potential or further limiting the analysis to any particular theory, of which there are many. Specifically, my work involves analysis of the phase space, including examining its geometry, assessing stability of equilibrium points, and checking for the possibility of chaos, amongst other things, and also using scalar fields to model the early universe or the late-time, dark energy- dominated, universe.
In this talk I will explain what a scalar field is and why we use it in modeling the universe. I will also touch on the specifics of my research after a very brief overview of some principles of cosmology.
