The IFAE Theory division research focuses on Standard Model, Flavor Physics, Beyond the Standard Model, and Astroparticle and Cosmology issues. The divison is led by R. Escribano and its work comprises three main lines of research:
Standard Model Physics and Flavor Physics (in and beyond the Standard Model)
Working on non-perturbative aspects of QCD, quarkonium physics, and heavy-flavor physics: rare B meson decays and CP violation.
Recent highlights include the work on the theoretical framework underpinning the so called B-flavour anomalies, a new hyperasymptotic approximation to the operator product expansion, and the precise determination of the strong coupling constant below the charm threshold.
This research line is led by J. Matias.
Beyond the Standard Model physics
Working on the most intriguing questions in particle physics: the origin of the flatness and largeness of the universe, the origin of baryons and dark matter, the smallness of the Higgs mass (the hierarchy problem), or the smallness of the theta-term (the strong CP problem).
The group has presented several novel theoretical scenarios addressing these questions that have motivated many experimental searches. They are also known for their work on more theoretical aspects, like the use of the AdS/CFT correspondence to obtain properties of strongly-coupled system.
This research line is led by A. Pomarol.
Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology,
Working on dark energy, dark matter models, early-universe cosmology and on, arguably, the most enigmatic of the fundamental forces — gravity.
Group members have made important contributions to scenarios where gravity is modified at large distances and to Lorentz-violating scenarios of quantum gravity. The group has an extended research record on axion physics, from both the phenomenology and theoretical sides. More recently, the group is contributing to primordial black hole physics, ultra-light dark matter scenarios and gravitational-wave physics from the fundamental physics perspective.
This research line is led by O. Pujolàs.
