1. Theoretical particle physics and cosmology in Helsinki Aleksi Vuorinen
MAT-PAP meeting
Helsinki,

2. Theoretical particle physics and cosmology in Helsinki Aleksi Vuorinen
High energy physics: looking into the smallest and largest in Nature
High energy theory in Helsinki: presentation by research area
A few research highlights
Some facts and figures
Final thoughts
MAT-PAP meeting
Helsinki,

4. Persistent question: what are the fundamental degrees of freedom in Nature?

5. Persistent question: what are the fundamental degrees of freedom in Nature?
Particle theorists’ task:
Develop models to describe and understand experimental data
Obtain quantitative control over (i.e. solve) the accepted “fundamental” theories
Constantly think of consistent ways of completing these theories by pushing their region of validity to higher energies

6. Persistent question: what are the fundamental degrees of freedom in Nature?
Particle theorists’ task:
Develop models to describe and understand experimental data
Obtain quantitative control over (i.e. solve) the accepted “fundamental” theories
Constantly think of consistent ways of completing these theories by pushing their region of validity to higher energies
Close interplay with fundamental questions of cosmology: early (and current) universe a particle physics lab!

7. Strong interaction physics: quantitatively solve the most complicated part of the Standard Model
(B)SM phenomenology: experimental connections, build models for particle physics beyond the SM
Mathematical physics: gain theoretical understanding of the structure of QFTs and their extensions
Particle cosmology: study implications of particle physics theories for cosmic evolution

8. HEP in Helsinki

9. HEP in Helsinki: (B)SM phenomenology
Researchers:
Katri Huitu
Oleg Lebedev
Kimmo Tuominen
Christian Gross
Matti Heikinheimo
Venus Keus
Aurora Meroni …
Topics:
Higgs physics
SM vacuum stability
Supersymmetric theories
Composite Higgs models
Dark matter
Neutrino physics
Connections to inflation …

10. HEP in Helsinki: strong interaction physics
Researchers:
Paul Hoyer
Keijo Kajantie
Kari Rummukainen
Aleksi Vuorinen
Tyler Gorda
Tobias Rindlisbacher …
Topics:
Lattice gauge theory
Perturbative QCD
Holography
Deconfined QCD matter
Heavy ion collisions
Neutron stars
Bound states in QCD …

11. HEP in Helsinki: mathematical physics
Researchers:
Masud Chaichian
Esko Keski-Vakkuri
Anca Tureanu
Niko Jokela
Ville Keränen
Markku Oksanen …
Topics:
String theory
AdS/CFT duality
Non-commutative gauge field theories
Quantum entanglement
Strongly coupled matter …

12. HEP in Helsinki: particle cosmology
Researchers:
Kari Enqvist
Mark Hindmarsh
Syksy Räsänen
Francesco Montanari
David Weir …
Topics:
Inflationary physics
Gravitational wave traces of cosmol. phase trans.
Accelerated expansion without dark energy
Electroweak baryogenesis …

14. Some examples and highlights

15. Some examples and highlights

16. 1. 7. 2017-: ERC Consolidator Grant (A. V
: ERC Consolidator Grant (A.V.) for building the most accurate equation of state for neutron star matter
IV. CV and research profile
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17. Some examples and highlights
E. Keski-Vakkuri et al.: “Thermalization of Strongly Coupled Field Theories”, “Inhomogenous thermalization in…”, PRL 106 (2011), 111 (2013)
First accurate holographic descriptions of the equilibration process in strongly coupled quantum field theories, implying fast thermalization.

18. Some examples and highlights
M. Hindmarsh, S. Huber, K. Rummukainen, D. Weir: “Gravitational waves from the sound of a first order phase transition”, PRL 112 (2014)
First realistic simulation of the generation of gravitational waves in bubble collisions during a first order phase transition in the early universe.

19. High energy theory facts and figures:

20. High energy theory facts and figures: personnel
4 full professors (Enqvist, Huitu, Lebedev, Rummu-kainen)
1 shared full professor with Univ. of Sussex (Hindmarsh)
3 permanent university lecturers and researchers (Keski-Vakkuri, Räsänen, Tuominen)
2 Academy Research Fellows (Tureanu, A.V.) and 2 non-permanent university researchers (Jokela, Keränen)
9 postdoctoral researchers
21 PhD students
+ Hopefully 1 new tenure-track associate professor soon

21. High energy theory facts and figures:
statistics

22. High energy theory facts and figures: career paths of PhD graduates
Unofficial survey (by Keijo Kajantie) of 33 theory PhDs from Helsinki, graduated between :
3 permanent faculty in academia / research centers (Keskitalo, Kurkela, Nurmi)
9 still in academia, but with fixed term contracts
21 working outside of academia, typically in IT or other high tech industry
Prime example: two string theory graduates moved to (then) small mobile game company Supercell ~2011 – current annual revenue >2G€

23. Final thoughts
High energy theory is an old but rapidly evolving field, in constant dialogue with experimental particle physics and observational cosmology.
In Helsinki, we have a broad and very active community, with clear focal points in our research.
Our work has strong methodological links to other areas of physics, including in particular all fields utilizing massive Monte-Carlo simulations.

24. Thank you!