Symmetry and Asymmetry in Cosmology and Particle Physics
A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Physics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 18
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Symmetry plays a crucial role in both cosmology and particle physics, shaping our understanding of the universe from its smallest constituents to its largest structures. In particle physics, symmetries represent the foundation of the Standard Model, the theory classifying elementary particles and describing electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions. Noether’s theorem gives a precise description of the relation between these symmetry properties and conservation laws, including the conservation of energy and electric charge. In cosmology, symmetry principles help explain the large-scale structure and evolution of the universe. According to the cosmological principle, the spatial distribution of matter in the universe is uniformly isotropic and homogeneous, implying symmetry in all directions and locations. Moreover, the concept of symmetry breaking, particularly spontaneous symmetry breaking in the early universe, allows us to understand how particles gained mass via the Higgs mechanism and how cosmic structures emerged. Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) and other frameworks beyond the Standard Model often propose higher symmetries that were successively broken as the universe cooled giving rise to the distinct forces we observe today.
Ultimately, symmetry provides both a mathematical structure and a conceptual bridge that unifies physical laws across scales, offering deep insights into the origin, evolution, and ultimate fate of the universe.
Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Gauge symmetry;
- Noether’s theorem;
- Spontaneous symmetry breaking;
- Standard Model;
- Higgs mechanism;
- Grand Unified Theories (GUTs);
- Isotropy and homogeneity;
- Cosmological symmetry;
- Early universe;
- Fundamental forces;
I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Lucilla Lanza
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- gauge symmetry
- noether’s theorem
- spontaneous symmetry breaking
- standard model
- higgs mechanism
- Grand Unified Theories (GUTs)
- isotropy and homogeneity
- cosmological symmetry
- early universe
- fundamental forces
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