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
Bouatta N
(2010)
Preheating in Dirac-Born-Infeld inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Seery D
(2008)
One-loop corrections to the curvature perturbation from inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Clunan T
(2010)
Relics of spatial curvature in the primordial non-gaussianity
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Langlois D
(2009)
Multi-field DBI inflation: introducing bulk forms and revisiting the gravitational wave constraints
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Avgoustidis A
(2009)
Warped Wilson line DBI inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Bean R
(2008)
Duality cascade in brane inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
McAllister L
(2012)
A statistical approach to multifield inflation: many-field perturbations beyond slow roll
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Langlois D
(2008)
Perturbations in generalized multi-field inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Battefeld D
(2008)
Staggered multi-field inflation
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Fergusson J
(2012)
The CMB bispectrum
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics