Particle Physics and Inflationary Cosmology

by Andrei Linde

Overview

A monograph on inflationary cosmology and cosmological phase transitions, investigating modern cosmology's relationship to elementary particle physics. This work also includes a non-technical discussion of inflationary cosmology for those unfamiliar with the theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783718604906
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/17/1990
Series:	Contemporary Concepts in Physics Ser. , #5
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	380
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Andrei Linde was educated at Moscow State University and the Lebedev Physical Institute. He has been at the forefront of the theoretical research in physics for nearly two decades. It has a recipient of the Lomonosov award of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR and was a Morris Loeb Lecturer in Physics at Harvard University. Currently he is a Professor of Physics at Lebedev Physical Institute and a staff member of CERN, Geneva. Translated from Russian by Marc Damashek.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Overview of Unified Theories of Elementary Particles and the Inflationary Universe Scenario 2 Scalar Field, Effective Potential, and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking 3 Restoration of Symmetry at High Temperature 4 Phase Transitions in Cold Superdense Matter 5 Tunneling Theory and the Decay of a Metastable Phase in a First-Order Phase Transition 6 Phase Transitions in a Hot Universe 7 General Principles of Inflationary Cosmology 8 The New Inflationary Universe Scenario 9 The Chaotic Inflation Scenario 10 Inflation and Quantum Cosmology Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

'Many reviews end with teh traditional statement that the book is a must for all serious students of the subject. Particle Physics and Inflationary Cosmology must be read by a wider audience.'.

Physics Today

Readers even of the popular literature of science know by now that "inflationary cosmology" has become a hot topic, made exciting not least by the circumstance that in order to resolve some fundamental cosmological problems it draws in an essential way upon the modern depths of the physics of elementary particles. But to gain understanding of the details of the subject one has heretofore had to go to the journals. The present volume provides graduate students and researchers with a lucid introduction to the subject, its literature and its motivating impulse. Beautifully conceived and executed, and a very welcome addition to the advanced literature of physics. (NW) Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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