In the standard ΛCDM (Lambda CDM) model for cosmology Dark Energy (DE) or, equivalently, the cosmological constant Λ is a form of repulsive gravity which is causing the expansion of the Universe to accelerate. This effect has mystified scientists ever since its discovery in 1998 because the attractive nature of gravity was expected to lead to a deceleration, or slowing down, in this expansion rate. Λ is an adjustable parameter in the ΛCDM model, with no explanation for either its magnitude or physical properties.

In this colloquium we describe a new theory for DE [Astrophys. Space Sci. 365:64 (2020)] which attributes this repulsive gravity to the energy contained within the electric field that surrounds a finite-sized electron in intergalactic space. This theory provides a quantitative explanation for both DE’s magnitude, as well as, many of its physical attributes.

The concepts used in this colloquium should be accessible to anyone with a general Physics background.

Professor Bruce Law earned a PhD in Physics from Victoria University, New Zealand, in 1985, and has been leading the Liquid Surface Physics Group at KSU, where he is currently Professor Emeritus. His research interests centred around liquid surfaces and the structural phase transitions that can occur on them. The physics of liquid surfaces, thin films, and competitive surface adsorption is rather poorly understood despite its importance in many technological and biological processes such as catalysis, electrolysis, and osmosis. His group used the techniques of high precision video microscopy, interferometry, and surface-modified polarization of laser light to study (i) the dynamics of surface nucleation, growth, and coalescence of microscopic liquid droplets into uniform liquid films, (ii) the influence of line tension effects on liquid droplet shapes, and (iii) the behaviour of adsorbed and wetting films in the vicinity of a bulk second order phase transition. Recently, he became interested in the theory for Dark Matter.

This Colloquium will be hosted by the Department of Materials Physics

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Meeting ID: 941 1170 1666
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