Description
Book SynopsisThe origin and evolution of the primordial perturbation is key to understanding structure formation in the earliest stages of the Universe. Giving a thorough account of theoretical cosmology and perturbations in the early Universe, this graduate-level textbook describes their observational consequences and how such observations relate to primordial physical processes.
Trade Review'I like this book a lot. It is written very clearly and organised so well that it is easy to navigate. Both authors are undoubted experts and they handle the material with confidence as well as displaying deep insights and physical understanding.' Peter Coles, The Observatory
'The Primordial Density Perturbation is a welcome addition … [the] presentation is lucid and modern. [Lyth and Liddle's] volume warrants a place on the shelves of all researchers in advanced cosmology …' Physics Today
Table of Contents1. Overview; Part I. Relativity: 2. Special relativity; 3. General relativity; Part II. The Universe after the First Second: 4. The unperturbed Universe; 5. The primordial density perturbation; 6. Stochastic properties; 7. Newtonian perturbations; 8. General relativistic perturbations; 9. The matter distribution; 10. Cosmic microwave background anistropy; 11. Boltzmann hierarchy and polarization; 12. Isocurvature and tensor modes; Part III. Field Theory: 13. Scalar fields and gravity; 14. Internal symmetry; 15. Quantum field theory; 16. The Standard Model; 17. Supersymmetry; Part IV. Inflation and the Early Universe: 18. Slow-roll inflation; 19. More inflation paradigms; 20. Reheating and phase transitions; 21. Baryon number, CDM and dark energy; 22. Generating field perturbations at horizon exit; 23. Generating ζ at horizon exit; 24. Generating ζ and Si after horizon exit; 25. Slow-roll inflation and observation; Appendixes; Index.
