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
Zabel N
(2022)
VERTICO II: How H i-identified Environmental Mechanisms Affect the Molecular Gas in Cluster Galaxies
in The Astrophysical Journal
Chae K
(2020)
Testing the Strong Equivalence Principle: Detection of the External Field Effect in Rotationally Supported Galaxies
in The Astrophysical Journal
Dong ? Y
(2022)
SN 2016dsg: A Thermonuclear Explosion Involving a Thick Helium Shell
in The Astrophysical Journal
MatrĂ L
(2020)
Dust Populations in the Iconic Vega Planetary System Resolved by ALMA
in The Astrophysical Journal
Ade P
(2019)
BICEP2/Keck Array XI: Beam Characterization and Temperature-to-Polarization Leakage in the BK15 Data Set
in The Astrophysical Journal
Wang J
(2019)
JCMT BISTRO Survey: Magnetic Fields within the Hub-filament Structure in IC 5146
in The Astrophysical Journal
Didier J
(2019)
Intensity-coupled Polarization in Instruments with a Continuously Rotating Half-wave Plate
in The Astrophysical Journal
Svoboda B
(2019)
ALMA Observations of Fragmentation, Substructure, and Protostars in High-mass Starless Clump Candidates
in The Astrophysical Journal
Wu W
(2019)
A Measurement of the Cosmic Microwave Background Lensing Potential and Power Spectrum from 500 deg 2 of SPTpol Temperature and Polarization Data
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kwon W
(2022)
B-fields in Star-forming Region Observations (BISTRO): Magnetic Fields in the Filamentary Structures of Serpens Main
in The Astrophysical Journal