Probing the Early Universe Using GW Observations - Lecture 4

Explore how gravitational wave observations can reveal secrets of the early universe in this lecture from the Summer School on Gravitational-Wave Astronomy. Learn from Chiara Caprini of CERN and the University of Geneva as she delves into the theoretical foundations and practical applications of using gravitational wave data to probe cosmological phenomena from the universe's earliest epochs. Discover how these ripples in spacetime serve as unique messengers that can provide insights into primordial processes, phase transitions, and fundamental physics that occurred shortly after the Big Bang. Understand the connection between gravitational wave signatures and early universe models, including how different cosmological scenarios would produce distinct gravitational wave backgrounds. Examine the current observational capabilities and future prospects for detecting primordial gravitational waves, and learn about the challenges and opportunities in extracting cosmological information from gravitational wave data. This lecture forms part of a comprehensive summer school program focused on gravitational-wave astronomy's role in cosmological exploration, organized by the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences.