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| The Origin of the Universe and Matter: Physical Elucidation of Cosmic History |
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From 2003 to 2007 (planned)
COE Body: Division of Particle and Astrophysical Science and Division of Material Science (Physics Section), Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University |
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Research programs
In order to explore the origin of the universe and matter, this COE (Center of Excellence) will focus mainly on astrophysics and particle physics and partly on condensed-matter physics. With the purpose of physically elucidating the cosmic history of 13 billion years, the program at this COE for research and education will include elementary particle experiments to probe the fundamental physical laws applicable in the early universe, astronomical observations using multiple wavelengths such as submillimeter waves, far-infrared rays and X-rays to clarify the formative mechanisms of clusters of galaxies, galaxies and stars, and researches dealing with spacetime around black holes and extreme-state physics inside high-density stars (compact stars).
Our universe started out with a Big Bang. The entire universe was confined to a size smaller than a hydrogen atom. In the investigation of 13 billion years of cosmic history since the Big Bang, the following three areas are particularly important for physics: |
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The things we have learned from high energy experiments can be used to probe the universe
from the present to the time when the universe was as small as a ball with a radius of 1m. The purpose of the project is to understand the fundamental physics and fundamental elementary particles which governed the behavior of the universe before this period. The theory of elementary particles predicts that, for every particle, there exists an anti-particle with the same mass but opposite charge. Therefore the Big Bang should have produced an anti-universe together with the universe. But our universe is made out of matter and we can not find the anti-universe. What was the fate of the anti-universe? It is believed that the elementary particle theory must contain the matter-antimatter asymmetry that is called CP violation. |
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| Then, after a phase of light-elements synthesis and neutralization, our universe entered the formative period in which various structures were formed. The first-generation objects were formed only of light elements, followed by the reionization of the universe. Then the supply of heavy elements occurred as a result of supernova explosions. After this, galaxies and clusters of galaxies were formed from dark matter together with the formation of star and planetary systems, including our solar system. |
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| In their final phase, galaxies and stars will evolve into extreme-state celestial objects such as neutron stars or black holes, which will present extreme-state physical phenomena. |
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| This rough scenario of our cosmic history has been put forward as a result of the dramatic advances achieved in astrophysics in the last quarter of the 20th century. Yet, many important problems remain unsolved. Our COE intends to help clarify the physical process of the early universe by measuring the violation of CP symmetry and neutrino oscillation. It will also study the formative process of stars and galaxies through observations using multiple wavelengths such as submillimeter waves, far-infrared rays and hard X-rays. And it will conduct studies on spacetime around black holes and extreme-state physics inside high-density stars (compact stars). Through such activities our cosmic history may emerge before us with ever-greater clarity. |
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