The origin of matter is one of the most fundamental and challenging problems in science. Cosmological and astrophysical observations have revealed that ordinary matter makes up only about 5% of the energy density of our universe, while 25% is in the form of some yet unknown particles that do not interact electromagnetically (or do so very weakly), referred to as dark matter. Dark matter has so far manifested only gravitationally. While its existence is essential in understanding the universe as we observe it, the particle species it consists of and their non-gravitational interactions remain unknown. And even though the properties of ordinary matter are largely known, the origin of its cosmological abundance - consisting mostly of protons and neutrons, collectively called baryons - is still shrouded by mystery. While it is known that it is due to an excess of baryons over antibaryons (also called an asymmetry), the dynamical generation of this excess in the early universe requires physics beyond the what is currently known.
The project CosmoChart concerns the origin of the cosmological abundance of ordinary matter and dark matter, and the fundamental nature of the latter. Elucidating these issues will not only allow us to understand the evolution and the structure of our universe better, but will also constitute a momentous discovery of new fundamental physics. The overall objectives include building theories for the generation of the ordinary matter-antimatter asymmetry and for dark matter, and examining their theoretical and phenomenological implications, such that these theories can be tested by our experimental probes.
The project is contributing to our understanding of the universe and the most fundamental laws of nature. The importance of this endeavour cannot be overemphasised. The comprehension of the physical world, and the dissemination of the knowledge to the society, liberated our societies from fears and superstitions, enabled us to solve big problems and build prosperous and creative societies. Fundamental research has also more immediate impact. The contributions of the field of high-energy physics to the technological advancement of our entire society are well-known and wide-ranging, from inventing the world wide web, to advancing medical technology. Theoretical research, such as that carried out in this project, is an integral part of the research, and indeed of any discovery in particle physics. It provides the vision and the essential guidance that enable us to design effective experimental strategies which can lead to important discoveries.
