Fundamental cosmology in the E-ELT era: The status and future role of tests of fundamental coupling stability

Abstract

The observational evidence for the recent acceleration of the universe demonstrates that canonical theories of cosmology and particle physics are incomplete---if not incorrect---and that new physics is out there, waiting to be discovered. The most fundamental task for the next generation of astrophysical facilities is therefore to search for, identify and ultimately characterize this new physics. Here we highlight recent efforts along these lines, mostly focusing on ongoing work by CAUP's Dark Side Team aiming to develop some of the science case and optimize observational strategies for forthcoming facilities. The discussion is centred on tests of the stability of fundamental couplings (since the provide a direct handle on new physics), but synergies with other probes are also briefly considered. The goal is to show how a new generation of precision consistency tests of the standard paradigm will soon become possible.

General Relativity and Gravitation (in press). Refereed invited report, summarizes the contents of review talks given by the author in 2014 at Moriond (joint cosmology/QCD session), the 2nd Azores School on Observational Cosmology, MIAPP (Cosmology after Planck workshop), ESO (Fundamental Physics workshop) and NORDITA (Dark Energy Interactions workshop)