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
Davis, A.C. & Ribeiro, Raquel H.
(2009)
Enhanced (p)reheating in DBI Inflation
Avgoustidis A
(2009)
Consistency among distance measurements: transparency, BAO scale and accelerated expansion
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Steinhardt P
(2009)
Dark energy, inflation, and extra dimensions
in Physical Review D
Gibbons GW
(2009)
Naturalness of CP violation in the standard model.
in Physical review letters
Burrage, Clare; Davis, Anne-Christine & Shaw, Douglas J.
(2009)
Searching for Axion-like Particles with Active Galactic Nuclei
Durkee M
(2009)
Type II Einstein spacetimes in higher dimensions
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Anderson, Edward
(2009)
Smallest Relational Mechanics Model of Quantum Cosmology
Wesley D
(2009)
Oxidised cosmic acceleration
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Hindmarsh, Mark; Ringeval, Christophe & Suyama, Teruaki
(2009)
The CMB temperature bispectrum induced by cosmic strings
Sotiriou T
(2009)
Quantum gravity without Lorentz invariance
in Journal of High Energy Physics