MSPA-AST: Precision cosmology with galaxies, CMB and 21 cm tomography

近几年来，宇宙学取得了令人瞩目的进展。该项目将继续进行宇宙现象学的研究，开发改进的分析方法，并利用它们来加强宇宙学约束和理论理解。来自当前和即将进行的实验的更好的数据将被用来提高对中微子、暗物质、暗能量和早期宇宙的了解。这项研究的关键组成部分是：1)星系团的宇宙学，包括使用比以前更小的尺度信息，用于简并破坏和一致性测试；2)通过开发基于信息论的21厘米层析数据分析技术来阐明“暗时代”，以快速但几乎无损地提取关于再电离时代和基础物理的宇宙学信息；3)理论和唯象计算，以加强观测和基本理论及其自由参数之间的联系。一个共同的主题是使用基于信息论的技术来应对海量数据集带来的数学和统计挑战，特别是在管理和建模不确定性方面。随着加强新兴的宇宙学标准模型的基础，这项研究将开发广泛有用的数据和工具，并将迅速公布。该项目培训学生，并为公众演讲和其他教育拓展提供充足的机会。宇宙的起源、演化和命运长期以来一直吸引着普通公众的想象力，使其能够在正式和非正式的公共宣传中积极开展工作。

AST-0708534TegmarkRecent years have seen spectacular progress in cosmology. This project will continue research in cosmic phenomenology, developing improved analysis methods and using them to sharpen cosmological constraints and theoretical understanding. Better data from current and upcoming experiments will be used to improve knowledge about neutrinos, dark matter, dark energy and the early Universe. The key components of this research are: 1) cosmology with galaxy clustering, including using smaller scale information than before, for degeneracy breaking and consistency testing; 2) illuminating the "dark ages" by developing information theory based techniques for 21 cm tomography data analysis, for fast yet nearly lossless extraction of cosmological information, concerning both the epoch of reionization and fundamental physics; 3) theoretical and phenomenological calculations to strengthen the link between observations and the underlying theories and their free parameters. A common theme is the use of information theory based techniques to tackle the mathematical and statistical challenges posed by massive data sets, particularly for managing and modeling uncertainty.Along with strengthening the foundation for the emerging standard model of cosmology, this research will develop broadly useful data and tools, which will promptly be made publicly available. The project trains students, and offers ample opportunities for public talks and other educational outreach. The origin, evolution and fate of the universe have long captivated the imagination of the general public, allowing for active work in both formal and informal public outreach.