Thomas Colas

Dr. Thomas Colas is a theoretical cosmologist at the University of Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), part of the Relativity and Gravitation research group. His work focuses on Open Effective Field Theories (OEFT) and non-unitary effects in the early universe, leveraging quantum information theory and non-equilibrium quantum field theory techniques. His research bridges cosmology with condensed matter physics and quantum optics to understand inflationary dynamics and quantum fluctuations' role in cosmic inhomogeneities.

Key research themes include modeling uncertainties in early universe physics through OEFT, studying decoherence and dissipation in cosmological systems, and analyzing quantum-to-classical transitions during inflation. His work addresses foundational questions about how quantum mechanics operates in extreme cosmological contexts, such as the primordial vacuum's imprint on the cosmic microwave background and large-scale structures.

Recent publications highlight advancements in OEFT frameworks for light-matter interactions, entropy calculations in curved spacetimes, and recoherence mechanisms in expanding universes. These contributions advance our understanding of how hidden sectors and unaccounted degrees of freedom influence cosmological observables.

Dr. Colas maintains active collaborations through his research group and engages with experimental cosmology via data analysis tools like the SDSS/BOSS dataset, bridging theoretical insights with observational tests of early universe models.