Collaborative Research: Precision Array for Probing the Epoch of Reionization (PAPER)

该奖项是为了继续发展探测再电离时代的精密阵列（PAPER）。论文的重点是在宇宙再电离过程中从中性星系间介质（IGM）发出的HI 21厘米信号的统计检测，这一事件对应于由第一批恒星和超大质量黑洞的紫外线辐射引起的从完全中性星系间介质到高度电离的IGM的转变。探索宇宙演化的最后一个未被探索的阶段被Astro2010十年调查称为在宇宙结构形成研究中具有非凡发现潜力的主要领域，这构成了这项研究的主要智力影响。在之前的授标期间，根据AST-0804508和AST-0804523， PAPER在NRAO Green Bank和南非Karoo沙漠建立了32个天线单元的观测点。目前的提案将把PAPER的SA部署扩展到128个元素，并将支持使用GB和SA部署的持续观察和分析。该计划的广泛影响包括低频射电天文学技术的进步，以及通过培养研究生和博士后来强调教育。该项目是A2010推荐的未来氢时代再电离阵列（HERA）的重要垫脚石。PAPER在可能的情况下将制造资金导向当地小企业，从而为美国提供经济刺激。外联活动包括研究生就该项目的一些公开演讲。

This award is for continuation of the development of the Precision Array to Probe the Epoch of Reionization (PAPER). The focus of PAPER is the statistical detection of HI 21-cm signals from the neutral intergalactic medium (IGM) during cosmic reionization, an event corresponding to the transition from a fully neutral IGM to a highly ionized IGM caused by the UV radiation from the first stars and supermassive black holes. Probing this last unexplored phase of cosmic evolution has been called out by the Astro2010 Decade Survey as the primary area with extraordinary discovery potential in the study of cosmic structure formation, and this constitutes the main intellectual impact of this research.During the previous award period, under AST-0804508 and AST-0804523, PAPER established observing sites with 32 antenna elements at both NRAO Green Bank and in the Karoo Desert of South Africa. The current proposal will expand the SA deployment of PAPER to 128 elements and will support on-going observations and analysis using both the GB and SA deployments. Broader impacts of the program include advancement of techniques in low frequency radio astronomy, and a strong educational emphasis through training of graduate students and postdocs. The project is a major stepping stone toward a future Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA), as recommended by A2010. PAPER has directed fabrication funds where possible to local small businesses, thus providing economic stimulus in the US. Outreach activities have included a number of public talks on the project by graduate students.