Testing Inflation in the Very Early Universe
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Portsmouth
Department Name: Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation
Abstract
Inflation is a period of accelerated expansion in the very early universe which can explain the origin of large scale structure from initial quantum fluctuations on microscopic scales. This project will investigate how the dynamics of particular inflation models can be constrained by a range of cosmological observations, considering in particular the evolution of inhomogeneous perturbations through the reheating era at the end of inflation. Ultimately the aim is to evaluate the statistical evidence for different models of inflation and reheating, including single-field and curvaton models, using a range of observational data, subject to theoretically-motivated priors for the model parameters.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/N504245/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1643185 | Studentship | ST/N504245/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 | Robert Hardwick |
| Description | Travel Grant - Université Paris Diderot |
| Amount | € 450 (EUR) |
| Organisation | Paris Diderot University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | France |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 09/2017 |
| Description | Christian Byrnes and Jesus Torrado |
| Organisation | University of Sussex |
| Department | Physics and Astronomy Department |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provided specialist knowledge. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They provided specialist knowledge and feedback. |
| Impact | Two academic papers so far (one in preparation). |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Kari Enqvist |
| Organisation | University of Helsinki |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | Finland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributions towards a research publication. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributions towards a research publication. |
| Impact | A research publication. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Tommi Tenkanen |
| Organisation | Queen Mary University of London |
| Department | School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributions towards a research publication. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributions towards a research publication. |
| Impact | A research publication. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Title | foxi - A forecasting code |
| Description | The code is a novel forecasting tool that can be used to make optimal designs experimental setups. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | Under some future developments, this will have potential applications to optimal data collection from public surveys, medical questionnaires, political polling etc... |
| URL | https://github.com/umbralcalc/foxi |
| Title | langevinsolver - A stochastic analysis tool |
| Description | This is a code which can be used to solve high-dimensional Langevin equations in all relevant applications. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | This is relevant to financial market analysis, time series data forecasting etc... |
| URL | https://github.com/umbralcalc/langevinsolver |
| Description | 'Ask the expert' at Stargazing Live |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public engagement about cosmology topics focusing on my area of expertise. I have also encouraged others to study Physics and Maths at University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b019h4g8 |
| Description | Event manager - 'Pint of Science' events |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Event Manager, 'Pint of Science: Atoms to Galaxies', 23-25 May 2016, (3 events each with 70 people), The Kings Pub, Portsmouth, UK. These events were public engagement which reached a different audience to the usual attendees to public events. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/ |
| Description | Interviewed on local radio - 'Pint of Science' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interviewed on local radio about 'Pint of Science' on 18 May 2016, ExpressFM, Portsmouth, UK. The discussion included topics within physics and astrophysics, motivating people to attend the 'Pint of Science' events locally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.expressfm.com/ |
| Description | Invited public speaker - 'Astronomy on Tap' - Portsmouth |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Debated with and talked to local residents of Southsea Portsmouth in regards to my research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2017 |
| URL | https://astronomyontap.org/ |
| Description | Invited public speaker - Manaton Forum (Devon) - 'Evening with a Cosmologist' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk to local residents of Manaton village in Devon. As a result the Parish Hall was able to raise funds (~£250) to support the community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://manatonvillage.blogspot.co.uk/p/parish-hall.html |