Astronomy 1: Cosmology 2002/2003

The Early Universe

Thermal history

3K 1010 yr temperature is insignificant

3000 K 106 yr hydrogen is ionized
104 K 105 yr radiation dominates dynamics
109 K 10 s nuclei are dissociated
1013 K 10−8 s baryons are dissociated
1015 K 10−12 s theoretical physicists’ playground
1031 K 10−43 s “Planck scale”, end of physics

Figure 4.1 Thermal history of the universe.

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Planck Scale

QM: de Broglie wavelength LP = h/mP c

GR: event horizon REH = 2GmP /c2
Limit of current physics when LP = REH

Planck mass mP ∼ 10−8 kg ∼ 1019 GeV/c2

Planck length LP ∼ 10−35 m
Planck time tP = LP /c ∼ 10−43 s

High-energy Era

t < 10−8 s, T > 1013 K

Universe consists of photons, quarks, leptons, . . . in thermal equilibrium.

Particle–antiparticle pair production, e.g.

) e+ + e− *
γ+γ * ) ν + ν̄

γ+γ *
) q + q̄

Inflation

At t ∼ 10−35 –10−32 s, universe expanded very rapidly by a factor ∼ 1025 .

Possibly caused by the separation of the strong & electroweak forces.

Explains:
• horizon problem (why homogeneous?)
• flatness problem (why Ωtotal = 1?)

Particle Physics

At t ∼ 10−8 s, T ∼ 1013 K, baryons–antibaryons annihilate

b + b̄ → γ + γ

Baryon asymmetry problem – for every 109 antibaryons, must be 109 + 1 baryons

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⇒ Baryon number not conserved; “CP violation” in QM

At t ∼ 0.1 s, T ∼ 1010 K, universe is transparent to neutrinos
⇒ they “decouple” from the radiation
⇒ number of ν, ν̄ stays constant (ρν0 ∼ 108 m−3 )
At t ∼ 1 s, T ∼ 1010 K, electrons–positrons annihilate
e− + e+ → γ + γ

Nucleosynthesis

t ∼ 1–120 s, T ∼ 109 K

Thermal energy, kT ∼ 0.1 MeV

Nuclear binding energy, EB ∼ 1 MeV

kT  EB ⇒ nuclei form

Figure 4.2 Nucleosynthesis of the light elements.

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Main products: 4 He, 2 H, 3 He, 3 H, 7 Be, 7 Li

Reaction rates depend on T and ρb – nucleosynthesis stops after t ∼ 3 minutes:
• T too low to overcome Coulomb barrier
• no stable nuclei with A = 5 or 8
• ρ too low for 12 C production

⇒ no heavy elements
Helium:
• observed abundance ≥23%, including oldest stars
• agrees with prediction of 23–25%
Deuterium:
• cannot be produced in stars
• absorption line systems in quasars: abundance is 0.002–0.02%

Baryon density parameter:

ρb
Ωb =
ρc

Deuterium abundance ⇒ Ωb = 0.045

CMB “power spectrum” results are consistent with this.

Ωb /Ω0 = 0.15
⇒ 85% of the mass density is “non-baryonic”.

Figure 4.3 Light element abundances (Schramm & Turner, 1998, Rev. Mod. Phys., 70,
303–318)

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Epoch of Recombination

t ∼ 106 yr, T ∼ 3000 K, z ∼ 1100

Previously, photons scattered by electrons ⇒ universe was opaque.

Photon energy, kT ∼ 0.3 eV

Hydrogen ionization energy, EI = 13.6 eV

kT  EI ⇒ electrons “recombine” with protons/nuclei

⇒ universe becomes transparent

⇒ radiation no longer in thermal equilibrium with matter

⇒ origin of the CMB

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Summary

Planck Scale: t ∼ 10−43 s, QM/GR limit

High-energy Era: t < 10−8 s, particle “soup”

Inflation: t ∼ 10−35 –10−32 s, rapid expansion of the universe

Particle Physics: t ∼ 10−8 –1 s; baryon asymmetry problem

Nucleosynthesis:

⇒ t ∼ 1–120 s, T ∼ 109 K
⇒ right T & ρ for nuclear fusion to occur

⇒ main products: 4 He (23%), 2 H (0.002%), 3 He (0.001%), 3 H, 7 Be, 7 Li (all <∼ 10−6 )

⇒ density parameter in baryons Ωb = ρb /ρ0 = 0.045

Recombination: t ∼ 106 yr, T ∼ 3000 K, z ∼ 1100; electrons “recombine” with nuclei

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