Exploring the origin and fate of the universe with millimeter-wave and radio instrumentation and observations

利用毫米波和无线电仪器和观测探索宇宙的起源和命运

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-03975
• 负责人: Dobbs, Matt
• 金额: $ 6.34万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=649392
• 关键词: Exploring; origin; fate; universe; millimeter

The proposed research program develops technology and uses direct astrophysical measurements to shed light on the origin, fate, and composition of the universe.**With the South Pole Telescope, we recently made the first detection of the faint B-mode component of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. B-modes encode information about the mass distribution over the entire observable universe through gravitational lensing and may eventually allow us to detect gravity waves emanating from early universe inflation--a holy grail for observational cosmology. With data from the upcoming 3 year observing period, we will reach map depths that allow us to accurately characterize the polarization signal and detect or place exciting new limits on gravity waves from inflation. In addition, we are developing a next generation SPT polarimeter, for which will be building and deploying a new readout system that enables an order of magnitude larger focal plane.**The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) is a novel new radio telescope that will map the largest volume of the universe observed to date and may unlock the mysteries of Dark Energy. Our group played a key role in developing the CHIME concept, demonstrating its feasibility, and obtaining funding for the telescope construction. CHIME will use 21 cm emission from neutral hydrogen as a tracer of the matter distribution in the universe, allowing us to measure the apparent scale of the tiny Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) anisotropy as a function of redshift. CHIME is designed to observe the key epoch when the universe was 1/5 to 1/2 of its present age (redshift z=0.8 to 2.5) and the expansion of the Universe transitioned from decelerating to accelerating, driven by Dark Energy.*Using the BAO as a standard ruler, we will measure the expansion history of the universe and provide a new window which may potentially unlock the physics of Dark Energy. As a full-scale digital radio telescope with no moving parts, CHIME is also an entirely new telescope paradigm for radio astronomy surveys. Building on my group's successes in CMB instrumentation and analysis, we are at the core of the CHIME instrument design and realization, taking responsibility for the GHz digitizers and FPGA-based correlator. **The activities which will be undertaken in this grant period are:**(1) Develop and commission CHIME to make the best measurement of Baryon Acoustic Oscillations at redshift 1 to 2.5, placing new constraints on Dark Energy. Pioneer the correlator instrumentation techniques, calibration, observing strategy and data analysis for cylindrical digital radio telescopes.**(2) Analyze new data from the South Pole Telescope polarimeter (SPTpol), with a focus on the B-mode component of the CMB polarization where the gravitational lensing signal dominates and inflationary gravity waves may be detectable. Build on our group's cluster cosmology experience to use Sunyaev Zel'dovich selected galaxy clusters from the SPT-SZ and deep SPTpol temperature fields to study the growth of structure in the universe.**(3) Develop the next generation of bolometer readout systems for new experiments including the South Pole Telescope 3rd generation receiver, the Simons Array telescopes, and future satellite-based mm-wavelength telescopes.**My group has earned an international reputation for driving advances in instrumentation that enable new cosmology measurements. Group members, which include astronomers, physicists and engineers, have led key science papers resulting from the instruments we've built. We collaborate frequently with industrial partners and spin-off technology has been used by many researchers internationally.

拟议的研究计划开发技术，并使用直接的天体物理测量来阐明宇宙的起源，命运和组成。最近，我们利用南极望远镜首次探测到了宇宙微波背景辐射（CMB）中微弱的B模式成分。b模式通过引力透镜对整个可观测宇宙的质量分布信息进行编码，并最终使我们能够探测到早期宇宙膨胀产生的引力波-观测宇宙学的圣杯。利用即将到来的3年观测期的数据，我们将达到地图深度，使我们能够准确地表征偏振信号，并检测或对暴胀产生的重力波施加令人兴奋的新限制。此外，我们正在开发下一代SPT偏振仪，为此将构建和部署一个新的读出系统，使焦平面大一个数量级。加拿大氢强度测绘实验（CHIME）是一种新颖的新射电望远镜，它将绘制迄今为止观测到的最大体积的宇宙，并可能解开暗能量的奥秘。我们的团队在开发CHIME概念、证明其可行性以及获得望远镜建设资金方面发挥了关键作用。CHIME将使用中性氢的21 cm发射作为宇宙中物质分布的示踪剂，使我们能够测量微小的重子声振荡（BAO）各向异性的表观尺度作为红移的函数。CHIME的设计目的是观察宇宙是现在年龄的1/5到1/2（红移z=0.8到2.5）的关键时期，宇宙的膨胀从减速过渡到加速，由暗能量驱动。使用BAO作为标准标尺，我们将测量宇宙的膨胀历史，并提供一个新的窗口，可能会解开暗能量的物理学。作为一个没有移动部件的全尺寸数字射电望远镜，CHIME也是射电天文学调查的一个全新的望远镜范例。基于我的团队在CMB仪器和分析方面的成功，我们是CHIME仪器设计和实现的核心，负责GHz数字化仪和基于FPGA的相关器。 ** 在此资助期内将开展的活动是：**（1）开发并委托CHIME对红移1至2.5的重子声振荡进行最佳测量，对暗能量施加新的限制。开创柱面数字射电望远镜的相关器仪器技术、校准、观测策略和数据分析。(2)分析来自南极望远镜偏振计（SPTpol）的新数据，重点关注CMB偏振的B模式分量，其中引力透镜信号占主导地位，并且可能检测到暴胀引力波。基于我们小组的星系团宇宙学经验，使用Sunyaev Zel'dovich从SPT-SZ和深SPTpol温度场中选择的星系团来研究宇宙结构的生长。(3)为新的实验开发下一代测辐射热计读出系统，包括南极望远镜第三代接收器、西蒙斯阵列望远镜和未来的卫星毫米波长望远镜。我的团队因推动仪器的进步而赢得了国际声誉，这些仪器使新的宇宙学测量成为可能。小组成员包括天文学家、物理学家和工程师，他们领导了我们建造的仪器所产生的关键科学论文。我们经常与工业合作伙伴合作，衍生技术已被国际上许多研究人员使用。