Research in theoretical elementary particle physics will include a study of low energy flavor-violating decays of the K and B mesons in the context of supersymmetric grand unified theories, and a calculation of the production and decay of heavy right-handed neutrinos in the explosive reheating which follows inflation. The experimental observation and theoretical understanding of rare flavor- violating processes provide an important low energy window into very high energy physics, and such studies constitute a prominent component of the present endeavor in particle physics. The production of particles during the reheating process following the exponential expansion and cooling of the universe during inflation is decisive in determining the structure of our observable universe. The processing of heavy right-handed neutrinos subsequent to inflation may generate the presently observed asymmetry between matter and antimatter.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Physics (PHY)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9722044
Program Officer
Boris J. Kayser
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1997-08-15
Budget End
2000-07-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
$54,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Northeastern University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115