Fredagskollokvium: José Ricardo Correia, Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo

Name: Fredagskollokvium: José Ricardo Correia, Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo
Start: 2026-05-29T11:15:00+02:00
Location: Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo

Schedule

Fri, 29 May, 2026 at 11:15 am

UTC+02:00

Location

Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo | Oslo, OS

Title:
«Sound of a Phase Transition: Echoes of the early Universe»
Abstract:
The detection of gravitational waves in 2015 by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration has ushered the advent of gravitational wave astronomy and opened a new window with which to explore the early Universe. Multiple extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics predict the existence of phase transitions occurring in the early Universe, leading to an imprint in the stochastic background of gravitational waves.
Depending on when the transition occurs, this imprint will be in the expected range of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA).
In this talk I will explore the gravitational wave production of strong first order phase transitions, seeking to understand the role of Standard Model fluid properties and their impact on the expected signal. To do so, I will use large scale simulations of two transitions: one preceded by a detonation, another by a deflagration.
To conclude, I will then study the evolution of vortical and compressional modes, how they are intrinsically related and what their respective impacts are on the expected gravitational wave background signal.
Image: Vortical flow resultant from a strong first order phase transition in the early Universe. Such phase transitions are a possible source of a background of gravitational waves. Creative Commons License 4.0
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Venue: Peisestua (room 304), Svein Rosselands hus (https://www.uio.no/om/finn-fram/omrader/blindern/bl26/)
**All are welcome to join!**
More upcoming seminars:
https://www.mn.uio.no/astro/forskning/aktuelt/arrangementer/gjesteforelesninger-seminarer/fredagskollokvium/2026/