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
Jacobson T
(2009)
Overspinning a black hole with a test body.
in Physical review letters
Brax P
(2010)
Tuning the mass of chameleon fields in Casimir force experiments.
in Physical review letters
Cvetic M
(2011)
Universal area product formulas for rotating and charged black holes in four and higher dimensions.
in Physical review letters
Sotiriou TP
(2009)
Phenomenologically viable Lorentz-violating quantum gravity.
in Physical review letters
Gibbons GW
(2009)
Naturalness of CP violation in the standard model.
in Physical review letters
Sotiriou TP
(2011)
Comment on "Detecting vanishing dimensions via primordial gravitational wave astronomy".
in Physical review letters
Hartle J
(2011)
Local observation in eternal inflation.
in Physical review letters
Gibbons GW
(2010)
Black holes in an expanding universe.
in Physical review letters
Chou AS
(2009)
Search for chameleon particles using a photon-regeneration technique.
in Physical review letters
Zhao G
(2011)
N -body simulations for f ( R ) gravity using a self-adaptive particle-mesh code
in Physical Review D