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
Farley
(2008)
Relic radiation from an evaporating black hole
in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODERN PHYSICS D
Chen X
(2008)
Fine-tuning in DBI inflationary mechanism
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Li B
(2008)
Microscopic and macroscopic behaviors of Palatini modified gravity theories
in Physical Review D
Avgoustidis A
(2008)
Non-relativistic strings in expanding spacetime
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Marvel K
(2008)
Tunneling with negative tension
in Journal of High Energy Physics
Yadav Amit P. S.
(2008)
Fast estimator of primordial non-Gaussianity from temperature and polarization anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background. II. Partial sky coverage and inhomogeneous noise
in ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Amelino-Camelia G
(2008)
GAUGE: the GrAnd Unification and Gravity Explorer
in Experimental Astronomy
Brax P
(2008)
Racetrack inflation with matter fields and cosmic strings
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Barrow J
(2008)
Some late-time asymptotics of general scalar-tensor cosmologies
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Barrow J
(2008)
Varying-alpha cosmologies with potentials
in Physical Review D