Structure Formation in the Universe

This text provides an up-to-date and pedagogical introduction to this exciting area of research.

T. Padmanabhan (Author)

9780521424868, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 May 1993

500 pages, 25 b/w illus. 4 tables
25.5 x 18.1 x 3.1 cm, 0.865 kg

' … destined to become a classic of its kind.' New Scientist

Understanding the way in which large-scale structures like galaxies form remains the most challenging problem in cosmology today. This text provides an up-to-date and pedagogical introduction to this exciting area of research. Part 1 deals with the Friedmann model, the thermal history of the Universe, and includes a description of observed structures in the Universe. Part 2 describes the theory of gravitational instability in both the linear and non-linear regimes. This part also includes chapters on the microwave background radiation, large-scale velocity fields, quasars and high redshift objects. Part 3 covers inflation, cosmic strings and dark matter. Each chapter is accompanied by a comprehensive set of exercises to help the reader in self-study. The book will be of interest to research and graduate students in cosmology, relativity, theoretical physics, astrophysics and astronomy. It is also suitable for use as a graduate textbook for introductory graduate level courses.

Preface
Part I. The Smooth Universe: 1. Introducing the Universe
2. The Friedmann model
3. Thermal history of the Universe
Part II. The Clumpy Universe: 4. Growth of linear perturbations
5. Statistical properties of the density fluctuations
6. The microwave background radiation
7. The linear theory: velocity fields
8. The non-linear evolution
9. The non-linear theory: high redshift objects
Part III. Towards a More Complete Picture: 10. The origin of initial perturbations
11. Dark matter
12. Epilogue
Appendices
Notes and references
Index.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH]