Joint cosmology seminar at Tufts:

Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 2:30 pm
Robinson Hall, Room 250
Tufts University
Refreshments at 2:00 in Knipp Library, Room 251

Quantum Gravity and Inflation -- lessons from 2d toy models

Emil Martinec
Chicago

Abstract:

Abstract: Many issues in quantum cosmology are exhibited in a class of two-dimensional field theories of gravity and matter, where the kinematics and dynamics are much simpler. In perturbation theory, these models contain a precise analogue of the scalar sector of cosmological fluctuations in four dimensions. Beyond perturbation theory, one can address aspects of eternal inflation in a rather controlled setting. We will survey the landscape of these toy models and what has been learned to date.