The energy density of a particle species is defined by
ϵ=∫0∞E(p)n(p)dp
where E(p)=cp2+m2c2 is the energy, and n(p) the distribution function, of a particle with momentum p. Here c is the speed of light and m is the rest mass of the particle. If the particle species is in thermal equilibrium then the distribution function takes the form
n(p)=h34πgexp((E(p)−μ)/kT)∓1p2
where g is the number of degrees of freedom of the particle, T is the temperature, h and k are constants and − is for bosons and + is for fermions.
(a) Stating any assumptions you require, show that in the very early universe the energy density of a given particle species i is
ϵi=(hc)34πgi(kT)4∫0∞ey∓1y3dy
(b) Show that the total energy density in the very early universe is
ϵ=15(hc)34π5g∗(kT)4
where g∗ is defined by
g∗≡Bosons ∑gi+87Fermions ∑gi
[Hint: You may use the fact that ∫0∞y3(ey−1)−1dy=π4/15.]