Fine-Tuning in the Physical Universe

Copyright
Contents
List of Contributors
Acknowledgements
Part I Introduction
	1 Fine-Tuning, Complexity, and Life in the Multiverse
		1.1 Introduction
		1.2 Prerequisites for Complexity
		1.3 The Multiverse
		1.4 Conceptual Shifts
		References
	2 Hierarchy of Fine-Structure Constants
		2.1 Preface
		2.2 Cosmic Uroborus
		2.3 Physical Constants
		2.4 Types of Fine-Tuning
		2.5 Scales of Structure and Natural Tunings
		2.6 Non-anthropic Tunings
		2.7 Weak Anthropic Principle
		2.8 Strong Anthropic Principle: Astrophysical Coincidences
		2.9 Strong Anthropic Principle: Cosmological Coincidences
		2.10 Cosmology and the Complexity Principle
		2.11 Interpretations of Anthropic Principle
		2.12 Concluding Remarks
		References
Part II Cosmological Fine-Tunings
	3 Naturalness, Fine-tuning, and Observer Selection in Cosmology
		3.1 Overview
		3.2 Defining Fine-Tuning
		3.3 Probabilistic Framework
		3.4 Anthropic Principles
		3.5 The Puzzle of Dark Energy
		3.6 The Anthropic Vacuum
		3.7 Semi-anthropic Galaxy Formation
		3.8 Outlook
		References
	4 Cosmic Inflation: Trick or Treat?
		4.1 Introduction
		4.2 The Standard Model of Cosmology
		4.3 Fine-Tuning Puzzles of the Standard Model
		4.4 Inflation
		4.5 Is Inflation Fine-Tuned? Choosing the Free Parameters of the Inflationary Potential
		4.6 Inflationary Initial Conditions
		4.7 The Multiverse
		4.8 Conclusion
		References
	5 Is the Universal Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry Fine-Tuned?
		5.1 Introduction and Overview
		5.2 Definition of Fine-Tuning of the Baryon Asymmetry Parameter
		5.3 The Case against a Symmetric Universe
		5.4 Particle Physics Models for Generating the Universal Matter- Antimatter Asymmetry
		5.5 The Baryon Asymmetry Parameter and Primordial Nucleosynthesis
		5.6 Relation between the Baryon Asymmetry Parameter and the Observable Cosmological Parameters
		5.7 Alternate Universes with Different Baryon Asymmetry Parameters
		5.8 Summary and Conclusions
		References
	6 Structure Formation
		6.1 The Emergence of Structure in the Universe
		6.2 The Early Stages of Evolution: Linear Regime
		6.3 The Final Stretch: Non-linear Growth
		6.4 The Fine-Tuning of Structure Formation
		References
Part III Fine-Tuning in Particle and Nuclear Physics
	7 Nuclear Physics and Its Impact on Primordial and Stellar Nucleosynthesis
		7.1 Introduction
		7.2 Strategy
		7.3 From the Standard Model of Particle Physics to Nuclear Physics
		7.4 Primordial Nucleosynthesis
		7.5 Stellar Nucleosynthesis
		7.6 Discussion
		References
	8 Fine-Tunings at Particle Scales
		8.1 Introduction
		8.2 Historical Examples
		8.3 Quantifying Fine-Tuning
		8.4 Fine-Tuning in the Electroweak Sector
		8.5 Fine-Tuning in the Strong Sector
		8.6 Anthropic Arguments
		8.7 Final Remarks
		References
	9 Dark Matter
		9.1 Overview of the Current Composition of the Universe
		9.2 A Brief History of the Discovery of Dark Matter
		9.3 Dark Matter Bestiary
		9.4 Role of Dark Matter in the Formation of Structure
		9.5 Testing the WIMP Hypothesis
		9.6 What If Dark Matter Is Not a WIMP?
		9.7 Final Remarks on Dark Matter and Fine-Tuning
		References
Part IV Fine-Tuning for Life
	10 Fine-Tuning: From Star to Galaxies Formation
		10.1 Introduction
		10.2 Stellar Basics
		10.3 Stellar Mass-Scales
		10.4 Galactic Scales
		10.5 Supermassive Black Holes
		10.6 Conclusions
		References
	11 How Special Is the Solar System?
		11.1 Introduction
		11.2 Lack of Super-Earths
		11.3 Lack of Close-In Planets or Debris
		11.4 On the Formation of Super-Earths
		11.5 The Potential Significance of Asteroid Belts for Life
		11.6 How Rare Are Extrasolar Intelligent Civilisations?
		References
	12 On the Temporal Habitability of Our Universe
		12.1 Introduction
		12.2 The Habitable Epoch of the Early Universe
		12.3 CEMP Stars: Possible Hosts to Carbon Planets in the Early Universe
		12.4 Water Formation during the Epoch of First Metal Enrichment
		12.5 An Observational Test for the Anthropic Origin of the Cosmological Constant
		12.6 The Relative Likelihood of Life as a Function of Cosmic Time
		References
	13 Climbing Up the Theories of Nature: Fine-Tuning and Biological Molecules
		13.1 Introduction
		13.2 Quantum Physics and Observables
		13.3 Influence on the Structure of Molecules
		13.4 Applications
		13.5 The Issue of Scaling
		13.6 Extrapolations and Conclusions
		13.7 Conclusion
		References
Index