We strive to understand the fundamental questions about our understanding of the universe: the origin of the universe, its evolution, and the content and forces that govern it.
Radiation and matter, which we know from electromagnetism and the periodic table, make up only 5% of the energy density of the universe. The remaining 95% is dark matter and dark energy. We don't know exactly what dark energy and dark matter are and where it comes from, but we do know that it exists from its effect on visible matter. To understand the universe, we need to understand the dark part of the universe.
Inflation is considered the most successful explanation of the origin of the universe from the Big Bang, but the underlying theory behind inflation is still poorly understood. Much of our work focuses on understanding inflation theory and alternatives.
Our methods consist of developing new approaches to quantum field theory and particle physics models and then testing them against data from particle physics, astroparticle physics as well as cosmological and astrophysical experiments and observations.
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