Official description

Applications of General Relativity to Astrophysics and Cosmology. Introduction to black holes, large-scale structure of the universe.

Additional information

This course follows on from PHY1483F. We begin by outlining how Einstein's equations can be derived from an action principle from scratch, then discuss possible alternative theories of gravity and extra dimensions. We then discuss the production and detection of gravitational waves as a probe of astrophysical and cosmological phenomena.

Next, we develop the story of homogeneous isotropic FRW cosmology, and introduce the idea of inflation. Then we discuss aspects of the thermal physics of the early universe. After that, we give an outline of the theory of inflationary perturbations, how they grow over time, and how this can be read off the cosmic microwave background and directly dictates the formation of large scale structure in our universe today. We finish up with a brief introduction to some advanced topics, possibly including black hole thermodynamics.

This cross listed course is offered at together with PHY484H.