A Programme of research in Astronomical Instrumentation and Cosmology

宇宙微波背景(CMB)是我们能从宇宙接收到的最早的电磁信号，对其性质的研究使我们能够测试宇宙如何开始(大爆炸和膨胀)以及宇宙结构是如何形成的理论。CMB光子与星系团的相互作用也使我们能够以其他任何方式都不容易识别的红移识别和研究更多的星系。这样的观测将与对单个星系的调查相结合，所有这些星系的波长都在几毫米到100微米的范围内。我们还提出了一种独特的仪器，利用大约200微米的大气压窗口来获得在该波长下非常高的角分辨率观测，与在更长波长上的类似分辨率观测是互补的。这个仪器将解决在我们自己的星系和类似的星系中如何形成恒星的主要问题。所有这些主题在PPARC路线图中都是非常优先的。在这一应用中，我们建议以领先的水平参与研究这些问题的重大国际实验，以及专注于光学、超导探测器和与未来仪器需求相匹配的无低温超冷系统的基础技术开发计划。这一计划不仅将使英国保持在当前观测宇宙学和天体物理学的前沿，而且使我们能够保持我们的技术优势，以便我们在未来几年仍将保持这一前沿。

The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is the earliest electromagnetic signal we can receive from the Universe, and investigation of its properties allows us to test theories of how the Universe began (the big bang and inflation) and how structure has formed in the Universe. The interaction of CMB photons with galaxy clusters also allows us to identify and investigate further galaxies at redshifts not readily identifiable any other way. Such observations will be made and combined with surveys for individual galaxies, all at wavelengths in the range of a few mm to 100 microns. We also propose a unique instrument to exploit an atmosperic window at around 200 microns to obtain very much higher angular resolution observations at this wavelength, complementary to similar resolution observations at longer wavelengths. This instrument will address the major issue of how star-formation occurs in our own and similar galaxies. All these themes are very high priority in the PPARC roadmap. In this application we propose participation at a leading level in major international experiments investigating these problems, along with an underpinning technology development programme concentrating on optics, superconducting detectors and cryogen-free ultra-cold systems matched to the needs of future instruments. This programme will not only keep the UK at the forefront of current observational cosmology and astrophysics but enable us to maintain our technological edge so that we will remain at that forefront in future years.