3:30–4:30 pm ERC 161
Craig Hogan (University of Chicago) "How quantum mechanics can help cosmologists solve their problems"
Most cosmologists accept that they have some deep problems, such as the origin of cosmic acceleration. Many are in denial about other problems, such as the extraordinary hidden symmetry of large-angle correlations in the cosmic background radiation. Of course, to solve problems, you have to change what you are doing. This talk will argue that solutions to these problems might be in reach if we change how we model locality in quantum gravity.
About speaker: Hogan's theoretical work has encompassed many areas of astrophysical cosmology: the origin of the elements, cosmic phase transitions and defects, magnetic fields, background radiation, cosmic reionization, gravitational lensing, cosmic structure and dark matter, global cosmological parameters, and gravitational waves. He was a co-founder of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Corporation, and is a US member of the LISA International Science team, which is planning a gravitational wave observatory in space. His research has been recognized by prizes including an Alexander von Humboldt Research Award, and the Gruber Cosmology Prize, awarded to the High-z Supernova Search Team for the co-discovery of cosmic Dark Energy.
