Probing The Dark Universe From Galactic To Cosmological Scales

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Degree type
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Graduate group
Physics & Astronomy
Discipline
Subject
Baryon Acoustic Oscillations
Cosmology
Galactic Dynamics
Large Scale Structures
Milky Way
Optimal Transport Theory
Astrophysics and Astronomy
Physics
Funder
Grant number
License
Copyright date
2022-10-05T20:22:00-07:00
Distributor
Related resources
Author
Nikakhtar, Farnik
Contributor
Abstract

Astronomical observations strongly suggest that the universe is mostly dark. Its two dominant components, dark energy and dark matter, remain among the most mysterious concepts in cosmology today. The effects of these two substances are imprinted in the remaining few percent of the universe that consists of normal (baryonic) matter. Dark energy is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe and the existence of dark matter is deduced from the orbital properties of stars in galaxies. This thesis probes the observable effects of both these phenomena. The first part is about Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) by which we can measure the expansion rate of the universe and constrain dark energy. The second part focuses on ways to probe the nature of dark matter by studying the dynamics of galaxies and the orbital properties of their stars. The third and final part of this thesis discusses Optimal Transport (OT) theory, which unites the BAO and the Galactic Dynamics parts. The results of this thesis would develop novel ways to place stronger constraints on cosmology and dark energy; while also revealing the distribution of dark matter in galaxies, thus constraining dark matter's properties.

Advisor
Ravi K. Sheth
Robyn E. Sanderson
Date of degree
2022-01-01
Date Range for Data Collection (Start Date)
Date Range for Data Collection (End Date)
Digital Object Identifier
Series name and number
Volume number
Issue number
Publisher
Publisher DOI
Journal Issue
Comments
Recommended citation