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
Barrow J
(2010)
A general sudden cosmological singularity
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Durkee M
(2009)
A higher dimensional generalization of the geodesic part of the Goldberg-Sachs theorem
in Classical and Quantum Gravity
Funakoshi H
(2013)
A modal approach to the numerical calculation of primordial non-Gaussianities
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Hu, Ziyang
(2010)
A modern view of the classical Herglotz-Noether theorem
Seery D
(2009)
A parton picture of de Sitter space during slow-roll inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Dias Ó
(2010)
A scalar field condensation instability of rotating Anti-de Sitter black holes
in Journal of High Energy Physics
McAllister L
(2012)
A statistical approach to multifield inflation: many-field perturbations beyond slow roll
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Burrage C
(2009)
Active Galactic Nuclei Shed Light on Axionlike Particles
in Physical Review Letters
Godazgar M
(2009)
Algebraically special axisymmetric solutions of the higher-dimensional vacuum Einstein equation
in Classical and Quantum Gravity