The Center will focus on understanding the origin and evolution of the universe through a series of programs to define the observations and experiments needed to answer the key open questions in cosmology. The programs will bring together experiment, computation, and theory. BCCP asks the fundamental questions that create the foundation of an accurate, reliable model of the cosmos, and then compare the implications of the model against observations. One approach is to take the simplest possible model consistent with the data, and then ask - what if we add to or change the model? Do the observations and theoretical considerations limit those possibilities?

Flow Down Research Plan

I.     Produce the MSSM (Minimum Straightforward Standard Model) of cosmology
II.   Define the major questions of cosmology
III. Develop a road map to answer the questions
IV.  Develop new research programs; continue and augment existing research programs

I. Produce MSSM of Cosmology

The MSSM of Cosmology is the standard by which all alternate models are compared and provides the framework for the flow down research plan. We have a good idea of what the MSSM is, but there remain significant open questions in the model.

II. Define the major questions of Cosmology

What is the right physics to describe the universe? Knowing this physics is the key ingredient enabling us to model and describe the creation and evolution of the universe quantitatively. This question naturally leads BCCP researchers to ask these derivative questions:

1) Did inflation happen? How?
2) What is dark matter?
3) What is dark energy?
4) What generated the matter-antimatter asymmetry?
5) Are there other relics to be found? (e.g. cosmic strings)?
6) Are there extra dimensions?
7) Do fundamental constants vary?
8) What other exotic forces might come in play?

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New Frontiers from Dark Energy

Beyond Einstein: What happens when gravity is no longer an attractive force?

Image: Scientific American

Discovery (SCP, HiZ 1998): 70% of the universe acts this way!

This represents fundamentally new physics. Cosmology is the key.

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The Nature of Acceleration

How much dark energy is there? energy density Ω_Λ

How springy is it? equation of state w, w'

Does it clump on subhorizon scales? Couple to matter? Couple to gravity non-minimally?
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Physics of the New Century

The Standard Model explains 5% of the universe

We need to explore further frontiers in high energy physics, gravitation, and cosmology.

New quantum physics? Does nothing weigh something? Einstein’s cosmological constant, Quintessence, M/String theory

New gravitational physics? Is nowhere somewhere? Quantum gravity, Supergravity, Extra dimensions?

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III. Develop a road map to answer questions in cosmology

The open questions lead naturally to:

IV. Develop new research & augment existing research programs

The flow down from the MSSM to open questions automatically leads to a systematic exploration of what are the best observations to pin down the necessary physics.

BCCP will then develop and/or promote new research programs and augment existing research programs that lead most effectively to the necessary physics for MSSM.

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