A Programme of research in Astronomical Instrumentation and Cosmology
Lead Research Organisation:
Cardiff University
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is the earliest electromagnetic signal we can receive from the Universe, and investigation of its properties allows us to test theories of how the Universe began (the big bang and inflation) and how structure has formed in the Universe. The interaction of CMB photons with galaxy clusters also allows us to identify and investigate further galaxies at redshifts not readily identifiable any other way. Such observations will be made and combined with surveys for individual galaxies, all at wavelengths in the range of a few mm to 100 microns. We also propose a unique instrument to exploit an atmosperic window at around 200 microns to obtain very much higher angular resolution observations at this wavelength, complementary to similar resolution observations at longer wavelengths. This instrument will address the major issue of how star-formation occurs in our own and similar galaxies. All these themes are very high priority in the PPARC roadmap. In this application we propose participation at a leading level in major international experiments investigating these problems, along with an underpinning technology development programme concentrating on optics, superconducting detectors and cryogen-free ultra-cold systems matched to the needs of future instruments. This programme will not only keep the UK at the forefront of current observational cosmology and astrophysics but enable us to maintain our technological edge so that we will remain at that forefront in future years.
Organisations
Publications
Ade P
(2008)
First Season QUaD CMB Temperature and Polarization Power Spectra
in The Astrophysical Journal
Ade P
(2006)
A review of metal mesh filters
Arzoumanian D
(2021)
Dust polarized emission observations of NGC 6334 BISTRO reveals the details of the complex but organized magnetic field structure of the high-mass star-forming hub-filament network
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bernard J
(2007)
PILOT: Measuring polarization in the Interstellar Medium
in EAS Publications Series
Brown M
(2009)
IMPROVED MEASUREMENTS OF THE TEMPERATURE AND POLARIZATION OF THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND FROM QUaD
in The Astrophysical Journal
Castro P
(2009)
COSMOLOGICAL PARAMETERS FROM THE QUAD CMB POLARIZATION EXPERIMENT
in The Astrophysical Journal
Chapin E
(2008)
The Balloon-borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST) 2005: A 4 deg 2 Galactic Plane Survey in Vulpecula (l = 59°)
in The Astrophysical Journal
Chiang Cynthia
(2008)
Observation of Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization with BICEP
in American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #211
Crill B
(2008)
SPIDER: a balloon-borne large-scale CMB polarimeter