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
Gibbons G
(2010)
Traffic noise and the hyperbolic plane
in Annals of Physics
Anderson E
(2009)
Triangleland: I. Classical dynamics with exchange of relative angular momentum
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Anderson E
(2009)
Triangleland: II. Quantum mechanics of pure shape
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Brax P
(2010)
Tuning the mass of chameleon fields in Casimir force experiments.
in Physical review letters
Marvel K
(2008)
Tunneling with negative tension
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Durkee M
(2009)
Type II Einstein spacetimes in higher dimensions
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Cvetic M
(2011)
Universal area product formulas for rotating and charged black holes in four and higher dimensions.
in Physical review letters
Regan D
(2012)
Universal non-Gaussian initial conditions for N -body simulations
in Physical Review D
Gibbons G
(2009)
Universal properties of the near-horizon optical geometry
in Physical Review D
Renaux-Petel S.
(2012)
Universality in multifield inflation from string theory
in Proceedings of the 47th Rencontres de Moriond on Cosmology 2012
Renaux-Petel S
(2012)
Universality in Multifield Inflation from String Theory
Barrow J
(2010)
Varying alpha
in Annalen der Physik
Li B
(2011)
VARYING ALPHA FROM N -BODY SIMULATIONS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Barrow J
(2008)
Varying alpha: New constraints from seasonal variations
in Physical Review D
Barrow J
(2008)
Varying-alpha cosmologies with potentials
in Physical Review D
Avgoustidis A
(2008)
Velocity-dependent models for non-Abelian/entangled string networks
in Physical Review D
Li B
(2011)
Voids in coupled scalar field cosmology Voids in coupled scalar field cosmology
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Avgoustidis A
(2009)
Warped Wilson line DBI inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Brax P
(2007)
Warping and F-term uplifting
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Hanson D
(2010)
Weak lensing of the CMB
in General Relativity and Gravitation
Curto A
(2009)
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe 5-yr constraints on f nl with wavelets
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society