Cosmic Tensions and Early Dark Energy - Understanding Extensions to ΛCDM

Explore a high-energy physics seminar where MIT researcher Michael Toomey delves into the growing tensions between cosmological datasets and the ΛCDM model, particularly focusing on the significant 5σ discrepancy in measurements of the universe's expansion rate (H0). Learn about Early Dark Energy (EDE) as a potential solution to these cosmic tensions, examining how this theoretical slow-rolling scalar field active before cosmic microwave background formation could modify our understanding of the universe's evolution. Discover the latest constraints from combined CMB and large-scale structure datasets, understand why the original axion-like EDE model faces significant challenges, and examine groundbreaking research using machine learning techniques and normalizing flows to establish the most stringent constraints on the EDE model to date. Gain insights into the implications for future model building and extensions of the ΛCDM paradigm in this comprehensive one-hour physics presentation.