An Introduction into the Theory of Cosmological Structure Formation

Abstract

This text aims to give a pedagogical introduction into the main concepts of the theory of structure formation in the universe. The text is suited for graduate students of astronomy with a moderate background in general relativity. A special focus is laid on deriving the results formally from first principles. In the first chapter we introduce the homogeneous and isotropic universe defining the framework for the theory of structure formation, which is discussed in the three following chapters. In the second chapter we describe the theory in the Newtonian framework and in the third chapter for the general relativistic case. The final chapter discusses the generation of perturbations in the very early universe for the simplest models of inflation.