A Programme of Technology, Astrophysics and Cosmology in Cardiff 2019-22
Lead Research Organisation:
Cardiff University
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We propose a programme of Astrophysics, Cosmology and Technology development for Astrophysics and Cosmology, to investigate star and planet formation in our own and other galaxies, how galaxies form and evolve and the signals from the very early Universe embedded in the polarisation properties of the Cosmic Microwave background. This programme will combine observational data from world-class ground and space-based observatories, as well as theoretical modelling and simulations of the processes that result in the Universe we observe around us. We will also continue to develop the world's most sensitive detectors for very long infrared wavelengths, along with associated optical components utilising 'metamaterials' the class of materials designed and manufactured by human beings to have the properties best suited to their task, rather than relying on naturally occurring minerals and plastics. Both of these areas of technology development potentially have wide applications outside of Astronomy, in areas such as security scanners and bio-medical imaging for example.
Planned Impact
The technology programme proposed here will have extensive impact outside of astronomy. Firstly in other academic subject areas such as Earth-observing where the technology is used to look downwards or sideways through the atmosphere rather than upwards, but also in bio-medical imaging, where the Far-infrared wavelength range has many spectral features, and is currently being used in collaboration with the School of Optometry in Cardiff to assess corneal damage, for example. Secondly we also plan to exploit the technology commercially, through the spinout company QMCI (www.terahertz.co.uk) which operates from within the School, with broad applications from fast plasma diagnostic systems in use in Fusion experiments, through laboratory spectroscopy across a wide range of chemistry and materials applications, and the new spinout Sequestym, for security cameras. We also plan a very strong Outreach programme across both the technology developments and the observational and theoretical astrophysics and cosmology programme, following on from the skills developed during the very successful Herschel/Planck outreach programme, with web-based and standard media information releases, but also tied in with Open days, school visits, and going out into schools and colleges to give presentations and host workshops
Organisations
Publications
Drabek-Maunder E
(2017)
Ground-based detection of a cloud of methanol from Enceladus: when is a biomarker not a biomarker?
in International Journal of Astrobiology
Husemann B
(2019)
The Close AGN Reference Survey (CARS) A massive multi-phase outflow impacting the edge-on galaxy HE 1353-1917
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bender A
(2019)
On-Sky Performance of the SPT-3G Frequency-Domain Multiplexed Readout
in Journal of Low Temperature Physics
Sarzi M
(2019)
WISDOM project - IV. A molecular gas dynamical measurement of the supermassive black hole mass in NGC 524
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Paiella A
(2019)
Kinetic inductance detectors for the OLIMPO experiment: design and pre-flight characterization
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Wesson R
(2019)
The dust content of the Crab Nebula
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Viaene S
(2019)
The Fornax 3D project: dust mix and gas properties in the centre of early-type galaxy FCC 167
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fasano A
(2019)
The KISS Experiment
in Journal of Low Temperature Physics
Abazajian Kevork
(2019)
CMB-S4 Science Case, Reference Design, and Project Plan
in arXiv e-prints
Nguyen Dieu D.
(2019)
The MBHBM* Project -- I: Measurement of the Central Black Hole Mass in Dwarf Galaxy NGC 3504 Using Molecular Gas Kinematics
in arXiv e-prints