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
Jacobson T
(2010)
Destroying black holes with test bodies
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Avgoustidis A
(2007)
Cosmic String Evolution in Brane Inflation
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Avgoustidis A
(2011)
New Cosmological Constraints on Axions and Axion-Like Particles
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
DUNAJSKI M
(2010)
Four-dimensional metrics conformal to Kähler
in Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
Li B
(2011)
On the effects of coupled scalar fields on structure formation Effects of coupled scalar field on structure formation
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hikage C
(2008)
Limits on primordial non-Gaussianity from Minkowski Functionals of the WMAP temperature anisotropies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Li B
(2011)
Voids in coupled scalar field cosmology Voids in coupled scalar field cosmology
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Vielva P
(2010)
Constraints on fNL and gNL from the analysis of the N-pdf of the CMB large-scale anisotropies fNLand gNLconstraints from the CMB
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Brown M
(2009)
Impact of modulation on CMB B -mode polarization experiments
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barrow J
(2011)
Cosmological magnetic field survival Cosmological magnetic field survival
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society