Differing measurements of the expansion rate of the universe have given rise to an observational dilemma in cosmology commonly referred to as the Hubble tension. A possible solution is provided by the model of New Early Dark Energy (NEDE). Here, a scalar field’s false vacuum energy plays the role of an early dark energy component that leads to a short repulsive boost close to matter-radiation equality before it decays through a fast, triggered first-order phase transition.
I will discuss the phenomenology of NEDE, highlight the role of the trigger mechanism, and propose different microphysical implementations.
Finally, I will report on very recent results that show how the same physics can be used to address another observational challenge relating to the large-scale structure of the Universe.
This Friday colloquium will be hybrid. Attendees can therefore participate either in-person or via Zoom. Please join via Zoom at
https://uio.zoom.us/j/69001043754?pwd=cEJpbVE5ci9PdWNtRld2TDNNcGtKdz09
Meeting ID:690 0104 3754
Passcode: PeiseStua3
Attendees will be muted during the colloquium, but will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end by clicking on the "raise hand” button (or send a request via chat).