Hotspots on the Cosmic Microwave Background: Origin and Searches

Explore a physics seminar that delves into the fascinating phenomenon of hotspots on the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and their connection to superheavy particles from the early Universe. Learn how these massive particles, produced during the inflationary period, create significant perturbations in spacetime that manifest as localized hotspots on the CMB. Discover various search strategies for detecting these phenomena, with special emphasis on the application of neural networks as powerful tools for identifying these hotspots. Presented by Soubhik Koumar from UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, this talk provides unique insights into particle physics at extreme energy scales and offers a compelling perspective on how modern computational techniques can help unlock mysteries from the Universe's earliest moments.