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
(2008)
Varying-alpha cosmologies with potentials
in Physical Review D
Barrow J
(2008)
Quantum particle production at sudden singularities
in Physical Review D
Bartolo N
(2008)
On the physical significance of infra-red corrections to inflationary observables
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Battefeld D
(2008)
Staggered multi-field inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Battefeld D
(2008)
Magnetogenesis from cosmic string loops
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Battye R
(2008)
Textures and semi-local strings in supersymmetric hybrid inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Baumann D
(2009)
Probing Inflation with CMB Polarization
Bean R
(2008)
Comparing infrared Dirac-Born-Infeld brane inflation to observations
in Physical Review D
Bean R
(2008)
Duality cascade in brane inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Berman D
(2011)
SO ( 5 , 5 ) duality in M-theory and generalized geometry
in Physics Letters B