Structure formation in the universe (Paper)

Understanding the way in which large-scale structures like galaxies form remains the most challenging problem in cosmology today. This text provides an up-to-date and pedagogical introduction to this exciting area of research. Part 1 deals with the Friedmann model, the thermal history of the Universe, and includes a description of observed structures in the Universe. Part 2 describes the theory of gravitational instability in both the linear and non-linear regimes. This part also includes chapters on the microwave background radiation, large-scale velocity fields, quasars and high redshift objects. Part 3 covers inflation, cosmic strings and dark matter. Each chapter is accompanied by a comprehensive set of exercises to help the reader in self-study. The book will be of interest to research and graduate students in cosmology, relativity, theoretical physics, astrophysics and astronomy. It is also suitable for use as a graduate textbook for introductory graduate level courses.

Preface, Part I. The Smooth Universe: 1. Introducing the Universe, 2. The Friedmann model, 3. Thermal history of the Universe, Part II. The Clumpy Universe: 4. Growth of linear perturbations, 5. Statistical properties of the density fluctuations, 6. The microwave background radiation, 7. The linear theory: velocity fields, 8. The non-linear evolution, 9. The non-linear theory: high redshift objects, Part III. Towards a More Complete Picture: 10. The origin of initial perturbations, 11. Dark matter, 12. Epilogue, Appendices, Notes and references, Index.