Novel Millimeter-Wavelength Spectrometers for Studying the Epoch of Reionization

用于研究再电离时代的新型毫米波光谱仪

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-03518
• 负责人: Crites, Abigail
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=742599
• 关键词: Novel; Millimeter; Wavelength; Spectrometers; Studying

The long term goal of my research program is to investigate the early universe (< 1 billion years after the Big Bang) through the development and use of advanced mm-wavelength instruments. I will develop instruments in my laboratory and deploy these instruments on telescopes located globally to study emission from galaxies during the epoch of reionization (EoR). Measurements made with these pioneering instruments will significantly enhance our understanding of astrophysics, cosmology, and the large-scale structure of the universe, all of which are challenges that lie within the natural sciences and engineering. The objectives of the proposed research are twofold: (1) make pioneering measurements of ionized carbon [CII] from galaxies in the early universe by completing, testing, and deploying TIME (Tomographic Ionized Carbon Intensity Mapping Experiment) [1], a novel mm-wavelength instrument; (2) to develop technology for next-generation mm-wavelength spectrometers using expertise and techniques from the pathfinder TIME, which will enable key cross-correlations with other probes of the EoR. Completing these objectives will allow us to understand the universe between 200 Myr and 1 Gyr after the Big Bang (6 < z < 20) when the first baryonic objects collapsed in dark matter halos, ignited the first stars, and produced enough energetic photons to reionize the surrounding neutral hydrogen gas. The physics during this epoch, the EoR, is largely unknown as it is one of the most observationally challenging epochs to study. It is essential to fill in this largely unknown epoch to understand the evolution of our universe and how the universe went from a primordial state to the complex, diverse environment of stars and galaxies we inhabit today. My research program is focused on developing state-of-the-art instrumentation and analysis to probe this epoch. My research will have a long-term impact on the field by leading discovery through advancing telescope instrumentation and novel observational probes. The [CII] line intensity mapping technique is a cutting edge new field of observational cosmology, and detection of the [CII] signal will set a strong foundation for building more powerful ground- and space-based mapping instrument platforms and for training the next generation of highly qualified personnel in Canada with expertise in this discipline. References: [1] A. T. Crites et al.Proc. SPIE 9153, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy VII, 91531W (August 2014).

我的研究计划的长期目标是通过开发和使用先进的毫米波长仪器来研究早期宇宙（大爆炸后小于10亿年）。我将在我的实验室开发仪器，并将这些仪器部署在全球的望远镜上，以研究再电离时期（EoR）星系的发射。用这些先进仪器进行的测量将大大提高我们对天体物理学、宇宙学和宇宙大尺度结构的理解，所有这些都是自然科学和工程领域的挑战。本研究的目标有两个：(1)通过完成、测试和部署新型毫米波长仪器TIME（层析电离碳强度测绘实验）[1]，对早期宇宙中星系的电离碳[CII]进行开创性的测量；(2)利用探路者TIME的专业知识和技术开发下一代毫米波长光谱仪的技术，这将实现与其他EoR探测器的关键相互关联。完成这些目标将使我们能够了解大爆炸（6 < z < 20）后200 Myr到1 Gyr之间的宇宙，当时第一批重子物体在暗物质晕中坍缩，点燃了第一批恒星，并产生了足够的高能光子来重新电离周围的中性氢气。这个时代的物理学，EoR，在很大程度上是未知的，因为它是最具观测挑战性的时代之一。有必要填补这个很大程度上未知的时代，以了解我们的宇宙的演变，以及宇宙如何从一个原始的状态到我们今天居住的恒星和星系的复杂，多样的环境。我的研究项目集中在开发最先进的仪器和分析来探索这个时代。我的研究将对该领域产生长期影响，通过先进的望远镜仪器和新型观测探测器来引领发现。CII线强度测绘技术是观测宇宙学的前沿新领域，CII信号的探测将为建立更强大的地面和空间测绘仪器平台以及为加拿大培养具有该学科专业知识的下一代高素质人才奠定坚实的基础。参考文献：b[1] a.t. Crites et . proc。SPIE 9153，毫米波、亚毫米波和远红外探测器与天文仪器VII， 91531W（2014年8月）。