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
Curto A
(2009)
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe 5-yr constraints on f nl with wavelets
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Grover J
(2009)
HKT geometry and de Sitter supergravity
in Nuclear Physics B
Kubiznák D
(2011)
Hidden symmetry in the presence of fluxes
in Nuclear Physics B
Avgoustidis A
(2009)
Consistency checks in the ?CDM: transparency, BAO scale and ?-domination
in Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements
Davis AC
(2008)
Brane inflation and defect formation.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Zhao G
(2011)
N -body simulations for f ( R ) gravity using a self-adaptive particle-mesh code
in Physical Review D
Li B
(2009)
Environment-dependent dark sector
in Physical Review D
Langlois D
(2008)
Primordial perturbations and non-Gaussianities in DBI and general multifield inflation
in Physical Review D
Gibbons G
(2009)
Global embedding of the Kerr black hole event horizon into hyperbolic 3-space
in Physical Review D