Objective
The big bang and its immediate aftermath remain one of the great mysteries in science, and it is likely that only an inter-disciplinary approach using both fundamental particle physics and cosmology will get us closer to understanding the origin of our universe. Currently the most promising framework for a theory of all particles and forces is string theory; however, it has been notoriously difficult to address cosmological issues within the theory. Only in the last few years has it been possible to construct stringy inflationary models as well as radically new string-inspired models, such as the cyclic universe.
This research project proposes to explore string cosmology by focusing on the characteristic elements of string theoretic models: string dynamics (typically leading to non-canonical kinetic terms and many relevant light fields), brane dynamics (inter-brane forces, their motion, collision and eventual stabilization), holographic approaches (in particular attempts at understanding the big bang using the AdS/CFT correspondence), violations of the null energy condition (ubiquitous in string cosmology, but not much explored to date) and intersecting brane constructions.
These characteristic elements are equally relevant for both inflation and the cyclic universe, and they will therefore be used to identify distinct observational signatures of the string theoretic cosmological models, for example with regard to gravitational waves or the statistics of primordial temperature fluctuations in the cosmic radiation left over from the big bang. Combined with the upcoming precision cosmological data from ground and satellite experiments, this research has the potential to significantly enhance our knowledge of both fundamental theory and cosmology and, therefore, to shed light on the question of the origin and fate of our universe.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy observational astronomy gravitational waves
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy physical cosmology big bang
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics string theory
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2010-StG_20091028
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
80539 Munchen
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.