A Programme of research in Astronomical Instrumentation and Cosmology
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is the earliest electromagnetic signal we can receive from the Universe, and investigation of its properties allows us to test theories of how the Universe began (the big bang and inflation) and how structure has formed in the Universe. The interaction of CMB photons with galaxy clusters also allows us to identify and investigate further galaxies at redshifts not readily identifiable any other way. Such observations will be made and combined with surveys for individual galaxies, all at wavelengths in the range of a few mm to 100 microns. We also propose a unique instrument to exploit an atmosperic window at around 200 microns to obtain very much higher angular resolution observations at this wavelength, complementary to similar resolution observations at longer wavelengths. This instrument will address the major issue of how star-formation occurs in our own and similar galaxies. All these themes are very high priority in the PPARC roadmap. In this application we propose participation at a leading level in major international experiments investigating these problems, along with an underpinning technology development programme concentrating on optics, superconducting detectors and cryogen-free ultra-cold systems matched to the needs of future instruments. This programme will not only keep the UK at the forefront of current observational cosmology and astrophysics but enable us to maintain our technological edge so that we will remain at that forefront in future years.
Organisations
Publications
Hughes David
(2006)
An AzTEC 1.1mm Survey of a Highly-biased Extragalactic Field Tracing Accelerated Galaxy Formation at z 3.8 towards 4C41.17
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
Masi S
(2006)
Instrument, method, brightness, and polarization maps from the 2003 flight of BOOMERanG
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Dobbs M
(2006)
APEX-SZ first light and instrument status
in New Astronomy Reviews
Jones W
(2006)
A Measurement of the Angular Power Spectrum of the CMB Temperature Anisotropy from the 2003 Flight of BOOMERANG
in The Astrophysical Journal
MacTavish C
(2006)
Cosmological Parameters from the 2003 Flight of BOOMERANG
in The Astrophysical Journal
Yoon K. W.
(2006)
Report on BICEP's First Season Observing the Cosmic Microwave Background from South Pole
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
Wilson Grant W.
(2006)
Submillimeter Galaxy Surveys with AzTEC
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #208
Yun Min Su
(2006)
AzTEC COSMOS Survey
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
Nguyen H
(2006)
Z-Spec's first light at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Korotkov A
(2006)
The millimeter-wave bolometric interferometer