Fundamental Physics and Observational Cosmology
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics
Abstract
We aim to advance the confrontation between observational cosmology and fundamental physics by developing testable signatures of early universe theories which are of direct relevance to STFC-supported satellite and other experiments, such as Planck and Clover. This work entails making detailed quantitative observational predictions which can be used to distinguish between different inflation models, as well as those involving cosmic superstrings and textures. In particular, we wish to study cosmologies emerging from higher dimensional models in fundamental theory, and discover ways in which to differentiate these from conventional four-dimensional models. We will also use data from the late universe to develop probes of the cosmological constant, dark energy and the variation of the fundamental constants of nature. In addition, we will embark on a new project in gravitational physics, studying the existence, formation and consequences of black holes. We will consider the distinctive signatures of extra dimensions which the experimental study of black holes may be able to uncover.
Organisations
Publications
Liguori M
(2008)
Impact of uncertainties in the cosmological parameters on the measurement of primordial non-Gaussianity
in Physical Review D
Barrow J
(2008)
Slow decay of magnetic fields in open Friedmann universes
in Physical Review D
Seery D
(2008)
One-loop corrections to the curvature perturbation from inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Chow D
(2008)
Equal charge black holes and seven-dimensional gauged supergravity
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Langlois D
(2008)
Primordial fluctuations and non-Gaussianities in multifield Dirac-Born-Infeld inflation.
in Physical review letters
Battye R
(2008)
Textures and semi-local strings in supersymmetric hybrid inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Davis AC
(2008)
Brane inflation and defect formation.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Avgoustidis A
(2008)
Cosmic string dynamics and evolution in warped spacetime
in Physical Review D
Germani C
(2008)
Matching WMAP 3-year results with the cosmological Slingshot primordial spectrum
in General Relativity and Gravitation
Fergusson J
(2008)
The shape of primordial non-Gaussianity and the CMB bispectrum