Gravitational Physics from the Cosmic Microwave Background

这个提议是为了通过测量宇宙微波背景辐射来研究引力物理和宇宙学。这项研究有两个主要组成部分，它们补充了我们期望通过普朗克卫星和其他测量得到的发现。在第一部分，我们继续支持和领导阿塔卡马宇宙学望远镜（ACT）。具体来说，我们将与ACT团队合作，测试探测器，构建，部署，观察和分析来自ACTPol（一种新型极化敏感接收器）的数据。迄今为止，在小角度尺度上测量CMB的ACT的科学回报是相当可观的，我们希望ACTPol同样成功，如果不是更成功的话。在第二部分中，我们将观察、升级和分析来自Atacama b模式调查（ABS）的数据。ABS的目的是在大角度尺度上探测宇宙微波背景偏振中的原始引力波特征。对CMB的测量彻底改变了我们对宇宙的理解。我们现在有了一个标准的宇宙学模型，它经过了很好的检验，我们可以把它作为一个基础。当前这一代测量的目标是确定中微子、难以捉摸的亚原子粒子的质量总和，以及寻找原始引力波。因此，从粒子物理学到量子引力，宇宙微波背景观测涉及并提供了信息。这门令人兴奋的科学的诱惑导致了新型探测器和检测系统的发明，以及分析数据的新算法。该研究由积极参与国际合作的本科生、研究生和博士后完成。这些学生和博士后不仅从事天体物理学的研究，还从事其他科学分支和研究实验室的研究。例如，以前的学生正在NIST研究先进的x射线探测器，这与我们的探测器密切相关，用于威胁评估和其他应用。

This proposal is for the study of gravitational physics and cosmology through measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. The research has two main components that complement what we expect to find with the Planck satellite and other measurements. In the first component, we continue our support and leadership of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT). Specifically, working with the ACT team, we will test detectors for, build, deploy, observe with, and analyze data from ACTPol, a new polarization sensitive receiver. The scientific payoff from ACT, measuring the CMB at small angular scales, has been considerable thus far and we expect ACTPol to be as successful if not more so. In the second component, we will observe with, upgrade, and analyze data from the Atacama B-mode Survey (ABS). ABS is aimed at detecting the signature of primordial gravitational waves in the polarization of the CMB at large angular scales.Measurements of the CMB have revolutionized our understanding of the universe. We now have a standard model of cosmology that is so well tested we may use it as a foundation. The current generation of measurements is aimed at such things as determining the mass sum of neutrinos, elusive sub-atomic particles, and finding primordial gravitation waves. Thus CMB observations are touching on and informing everything from particle physics to quantum gravity. The lure of this exciting science has led to the invention of new types of detectors and detecting systems as well as to new algorithms for analyzing the data. The research is done by undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs who are active participants in international collaborations. These students and postdocs go on not only in astrophysics but in other branches of science and in research labs as well. For example, former students are working at NIST on advanced X-ray detectors, which are intimately related to our detectors, for threat assessment and other applications.