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
Bicák J
(2010)
On asymptotically flat solutions of Einstein's equations periodic in time: I. Vacuum and electrovacuum solutions
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
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
Hu, Ziyang
(2010)
On the General Problem of Structure-Preserving Submersions
Bartolo N
(2008)
On the physical significance of infra-red corrections to inflationary observables
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Renaux-Petel S
(2012)
On the redundancy of operators and the bispectrum in the most general second-order scalar-tensor theory
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Renaux-Petel S
(2010)
On the squeezed limit of the bispectrum in general single field inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Barrow J
(2009)
On the stability of static ghost cosmologies
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Kubiznák D
(2009)
On the supersymmetric limit of Kerr-NUT-AdS metrics
in Physics Letters B
Seery D
(2008)
One-loop corrections to the curvature perturbation from inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics