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.

Publications

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Lewis A (2011) The shape of the CMB lensing bispectrum in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

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Li B (2009) Environment-dependent dark sector in Physical Review D

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Li B (2011) Large-scale structure in f ( T ) gravity in Physical Review D

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Li B (2011) Voids in coupled scalar field cosmology Voids in coupled scalar field cosmology in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Li B (2011) N -BODY SIMULATIONS FOR EXTENDED QUINTESSENCE MODELS in The Astrophysical Journal

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Li B (2011) f ( T ) gravity and local Lorentz invariance in Physical Review D

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Li B (2011) VARYING ALPHA FROM N -BODY SIMULATIONS in The Astrophysical Journal

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Li B (2008) Detecting a Lorentz-violating field in cosmology in Physical Review D

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Lim E (2012) Can we detect hot/cold spots in the CMB with Minkowski Functionals? in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

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Lindblom L (2008) Gauge drivers for the generalized harmonic Einstein equations in Physical Review D

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Malik K (2008) Different approaches to the second-order Klein-Gordon equation in Classical and Quantum Gravity

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Marvel K (2008) Tunneling with negative tension in Journal of High Energy Physics

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McAllister L (2012) A statistical approach to multifield inflation: many-field perturbations beyond slow roll in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

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Moncrief V (2009) Regularity of the Einstein equations at future null infinity in Classical and Quantum Gravity

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Monteiro R (2009) Thermodynamic instability of rotating black holes in Physical Review D

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Mulryne D (2010) Moment transport equations for non-Gaussianity in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

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Mulryne, David; Seery, David & Wesley, Daniel (2009) Non-Gaussianity constrains hybrid inflation