Cosmology has transformed from a field of speculation to precision science as a result of a wealth of data from sensitive instruments. In particular, precise observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) have revolutionized our understanding of the Universe. Despite the success of the standard model of cosmology (ΛCDM) in describing much of the cosmos with just six parameters, many fundamental questions remain unresolved. Are there primordial gravitational waves? Are there new light relic particles? How will the current cosmological tensions be resolved? Improved mapping of the millimeter and submillimeter sky will help address these questions. I will highlight recent results from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), and describe how the new ACT maps will advance our understanding of the Universe beyond Planck. I will also present recent progress on CCAT-prime and Simons Observatory that are paving the way for CMB-S4 in pursuit of next generation cosmology.
Bio:
I am an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University. My primary research interest is on understanding the formation and evolution of our universe through building sensitive instruments to make precise measurements and applying modern data analysis techniques to them.
On the experimental side I am developing novel instruments using MKID arrays for the CCAT-prime project. MKIDs are a promising detector technology for making future sub-mm measurements, but they have yet to be demonstrated from the best observing sites in the world such as that to be used by CCAT-prime. As a graduate student at Princeton University I worked on a different detector technology, TES arrays, for the Atacama Cosmology Telescope. In addition, I investigated infrared blocking filters, a crucial component in mm and sub-mm telescope receivers.
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2023-03-06T11:00:002023-03-06T12:00:00Probing fundamental physics by mapping the millimeter and submillimeter sky Event Information:
Abstract:
Cosmology has transformed from a field of speculation to precision science as a result of a wealth of data from sensitive instruments. In particular, precise observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) have revolutionized our understanding of the Universe. Despite the success of the standard model of cosmology (ΛCDM) in describing much of the cosmos with just six parameters, many fundamental questions remain unresolved. Are there primordial gravitational waves? Are there new light relic particles? How will the current cosmological tensions be resolved? Improved mapping of the millimeter and submillimeter sky will help address these questions. I will highlight recent results from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), and describe how the new ACT maps will advance our understanding of the Universe beyond Planck. I will also present recent progress on CCAT-prime and Simons Observatory that are paving the way for CMB-S4 in pursuit of next generation cosmology.
Bio:
I am an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University. My primary research interest is on understanding the formation and evolution of our universe through building sensitive instruments to make precise measurements and applying modern data analysis techniques to them.
On the experimental side I am developing novel instruments using MKID arrays for the CCAT-prime project. MKIDs are a promising detector technology for making future sub-mm measurements, but they have yet to be demonstrated from the best observing sites in the world such as that to be used by CCAT-prime. As a graduate student at Princeton University I worked on a different detector technology, TES arrays, for the Atacama Cosmology Telescope. In addition, I investigated infrared blocking filters, a crucial component in mm and sub-mm telescope receivers.
I continue to analyze data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope. Recently, the cosmological data analysis I led resulted in a new precise measurement of the age and expansion rate of our universe (covered on Gizmodo!). I’ve also worked on searching for B-modes and characterizing foreground emission for measuring B-modes. This led to a definitive measurement of the correlation of the polarized thermal dust and synchrotron radiation from the Milky Way.
Learn More:
View Steve's faculty webpage from Cornell University here
See his homepage here
Event Location:
HENN 318
