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
Chirco G
(2010)
Gedanken experiments on nearly extremal black holes and the third law
in Physical Review D
Li B
(2008)
Testing alternative theories of dark matter with the CMB
in Physical Review D
Hanson D
(2009)
CMB lensing and primordial non-Gaussianity
in Physical Review D
Lehners J
(2009)
Multifield cosmological perturbations at third order and the ekpyrotic trispectrum
in Physical Review D
Fergusson J
(2010)
General CMB and primordial bispectrum estimation: Mode expansion, map making, and measures of F NL
in Physical Review D
Vitagliano V
(2010)
Dynamics of generalized Palatini theories of gravity
in Physical Review D
Fergusson J
(2012)
Rapid separable analysis of higher order correlators in large-scale structure
in Physical Review D
Cremonini S
(2008)
Matrix model maps and reconstruction of AdS supergravity interactions
in Physical Review D
Li B
(2009)
Structure formation by a fifth force: N -body versus linear simulations
in Physical Review D
Fergusson J
(2014)
Efficient optimal non-Gaussian CMB estimators with polarization
in Physical Review D