1. Early Universe

2. Singularity
In the first few seconds of the universe photons outnumbered matter – radiation era.
The Planck era existed before seconds.
No scientific model to explain
Quantum gravity, string theory
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3. Inflation The forces of nature were initially identical.
Split as universe cooled
A period of inflation expanded the universe.
1050 times in size
Possible confirming disturbance measured?
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4. Creation of Matter Energetic photons created matter-antimatter pairs.
Quark epoch
Lepton (electron) epoch
At 1 microsecond the Universe was too cool to make more pairs.
Most matter-antimatter pairs annihilated.
Slight excess of matter
Asymmetry currently explored in accelerators
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5. Exploring Early Times
Particle accelerators can briefly reproduce the temperature of early times.
Fermilab in Illinois
CERN in Switzerland
Equivalent to about 1 picosecond (10-12 s)

6. Creation of Light Nuclei
During the first few minutes there was fusion as in stars.
proton + neutron  deuterium
deuterium + deuterium  helium
helium + helium  lithium + proton
There are only about 72% protons and 28% neutrons.
Forms 75% hydrogen, 25% helium, trace of lithium
All heavier elements made in stars
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7. Nucleosynthesis
The density of ordinary matter determines the likely mix of light nuclei.
WMAP measures ordinary matter at 4.6% of the total.
Predicted mix matches other observations

8. Matter Era
50,000 years after the big bang matter energy exceeds radiation – matter era.
Matter eliminated by antimatter
Radiation energy decreased by redshift
400,000 years after the big bang atoms formed.
Proton + electron = hydrogen
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