Theoretical and Experimental Approaches to Dark Energy and the Cosmological Constant Problem

This thesis represents a unique mix of theoretical work discussing the Lorentz theory of gravity and experimental work searching for supersymmetry with the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. It begins by reviewing a set of widely-discussed theoretical solutions to the cosmological constant problem, including a natural solution provided by the recently developed Lorentz gauge theory of gravity. The Schwartzschild metric, de Sitter space, and quantum versions of the theory are also discussed. The thesis then looks to supersymmetry for an alternative solution. The idea behind supersymmetry is reviewed and an experimental search for supersymmetry is presented. A major contribution was to estimate one of the most significant backgrounds in this search, which arises from top-antitop quark pair production or W boson production in association with multiple jets where the W boson decays into the hadronically-decaying tau leptons and neutrinos. This background was estimated through a novel method involving kinematically analogous events but including a well-measured muon. This search significantly extends limits on supersymmetric partners of gluons from previous searches.

List of contents

Chapter1. Introduction.- Chapter2. Dark Energy.- Chapter3. A Lorentz gauge theory of gravity.- Chapter4. Standard Model and Supersymmetry.- Chapter5. The Large Hadron Collider.- Chapter6. The Compact Muon Solenoid. Chapter7. Search for supersymmetry in the multijet and missing transverse momentum channel in pp collisions at 13 TeV.- Chapter8. Summary.

Summary

Nominated as an outstanding Ph.D. thesis by Baylor University, Texas
Explores both theoretical and experimental solutions to the cosmological constant problem
Summarizes and provides a review of several widely-discussed, recent theories relating to dark energy and the cosmological constant
Describes a novel method to estimate one of the most significant backgrounds in the search for supersymmetry

Product details

• Authors: Ahmad Borzou
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2017
• EAN: 9783319696317
• ISBN: 978-3-31-969631-7
• No. of pages: 111
• Dimensions: 161 mm x 243 mm x 13 mm
• Weight: 309 g
• Illustrations: XV, 111 p. 42 illus., 33 illus. in color.
• Series: Springer Theses; Springer Theses
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Theoretical physics; Gravitation, B, Gravity, Cosmology, Physics and Astronomy, Particle & high-energy physics, Accelerator Physics, Quantum field theory, Elementary particles (Physics), Elementary Particles, Quantum Field Theory, Particle acceleration, Particle Acceleration and Detection, Beam Physics, Relativity physics, Classical and Quantum Gravity, Classical and Quantum Gravitation, Relativity Theory