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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.

Publications

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Gibbons G (2011) Some spacetimes with higher rank Killing-Stäckel tensors in Physics Letters B

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Brax P (2011) Anomalous coupling of scalars to gauge fields in Physics Letters B

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TSAGAS C (2008) Relativistic cosmology and large-scale structure in Physics Reports

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Renaux-Petel S. (2012) Universality in multifield inflation from string theory in Proceedings of the 47th Rencontres de Moriond on Cosmology 2012

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Rudjord Ø (2010) DIRECTIONAL VARIATIONS OF THE NON-GAUSSIANITY PARAMETER f NL in The Astrophysical Journal

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Li B (2011) VARYING ALPHA FROM N -BODY SIMULATIONS in The Astrophysical Journal

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Li B (2011) N -BODY SIMULATIONS FOR EXTENDED QUINTESSENCE MODELS in The Astrophysical Journal

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Rudjord Ø (2009) AN ESTIMATE OF THE PRIMORDIAL NON-GAUSSIANITY PARAMETER f NL USING THE NEEDLET BISPECTRUM FROM WMAP in The Astrophysical Journal

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Donzelli S (2009) IMPACT OF THE 1/ f NOISE AND THE ASYMMETRIC BEAM ON NON-GAUSSIANITY SEARCHES WITH PLANCK in The Astrophysical Journal

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Zhao H (2010) DARK FLUID: A UNIFIED FRAMEWORK FOR MODIFIED NEWTONIAN DYNAMICS, DARK MATTER, AND DARK ENERGY in The Astrophysical Journal