CONFERENCE
Dr. Lāsma Alberte (Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)
"Dark Energy as Large Distance Modification of Gravity"
Recent measurements in precision cosmology provide us with firm observational signatures for dark energy - a non-clustering energy component driving the late time accelerated expansion of our Universe. The model that provides the so far best fit to the experimental data assumes that the dark energy is a constant vacuum energy density. Here we discuss the shortcomings of this model that go under the name of the cosmological constant problem. We argue how the modification of the Einstein's General Relativity at large distances can provide a dynamical explanation for the dark energy. We briefly discuss the various known infrared modifications of gravity as well as the observational tests that these models have to pass. In conclusion, we give a brief overview on massive gravity - a specific theoretical model that weakens the gravitational force on the distances larger than the inverse scale of the graviton mass.
Dr. Andrejs Hmeļņickis (Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)
"Modern Particle Physics Solutions to the Hidden Mass Problem"
I review cosmological and astrophysical evidences for the existence of a cold dark matter component in the Universe. Since none of the known elementary particles is suitable for this role, the existence of dark matter provides a strong motivation for new models in particle physics. I present several dark matter candidates and discuss experimental strategies for their search.
"Dark Energy as Large Distance Modification of Gravity"
Recent measurements in precision cosmology provide us with firm observational signatures for dark energy - a non-clustering energy component driving the late time accelerated expansion of our Universe. The model that provides the so far best fit to the experimental data assumes that the dark energy is a constant vacuum energy density. Here we discuss the shortcomings of this model that go under the name of the cosmological constant problem. We argue how the modification of the Einstein's General Relativity at large distances can provide a dynamical explanation for the dark energy. We briefly discuss the various known infrared modifications of gravity as well as the observational tests that these models have to pass. In conclusion, we give a brief overview on massive gravity - a specific theoretical model that weakens the gravitational force on the distances larger than the inverse scale of the graviton mass.
Dr. Andrejs Hmeļņickis (Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)
"Modern Particle Physics Solutions to the Hidden Mass Problem"
I review cosmological and astrophysical evidences for the existence of a cold dark matter component in the Universe. Since none of the known elementary particles is suitable for this role, the existence of dark matter provides a strong motivation for new models in particle physics. I present several dark matter candidates and discuss experimental strategies for their search.