Astrophysics, Cosmology and Gravitation
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We have a cool group of people in search for information about the origin of the Universe. We look for this information in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation, which is a relic remnant from the Big Bang. We have been using self-made balloon-borne telescopes that fly high above the planet to observe this radiation. We are now searching for signals that originated as early as 10+35 seconds after the big bang.
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| A cryostat for CDMS. |
| Courtesy CDMS |
Physics of The Cosmos
Welcome to the Cosmology Group at the University of Minnesota!
We are a diverse but cohesive group of Physics and Astronomy faculty,
post-docs and graduate students engaged in research work in Cosmology,
Gravitation and related fields. Our research interests span a wide
range of topics in the experimental, theoretical and observational
Cosmology.
On the experimental side we are involved in all aspects of the
Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) experiment, in the building of
balloon-borne instruments to detect minute signals from the Big Bang
as imprinted on the Cosmic Microwave Background, and in the Laser
Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), a network of
multi-kilometer interferometers designed to search for gravitational
waves. On the theoretical side we investigate the earliest moments of
the Universe, the inflationary epoch whose outcome sets the stage for
the later evolution of galaxies and clusters. We map the mass distribution
in these structures in order to reveal the properties of dark matter.
We also study the origin and evolution of the chemical elements from
their production during the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and in the interiors
of stars, to their dispersal by supernova and mixing into the interstellar
medium. We carry out observational programs to test theoretical predictions
of the chemical evolution models and to uncover new properties of stars
and galaxies.
Our weekly Monday lunchtime seminars cover a variety of cosmology and
related topics and are generally accompanied by lively discussions. With
the generous help from the Fine Theoretical Physics Institute we organize
yearly workshops that attract international experts.
Astrophysics and Cosmology Faculty
| Priscilla Cushman | Dark matter searches, novel particle detectors, collaborative work toward a Center for Underground Science through the DUSEL initiative |
| Shaul Hanany | Observational Cosmology; Early Universe Physics |
| Alexander Heger | Massive and very massive stars, the first stars, stellar rotation, nucleosynthesis, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, X-ray bursts. |
| Vuk Mandic | Gravitational Wave Physics, Observational Cosmology, Early Universe Physics |
| Keith Olive | Cosmology/Particle Physics |
| Marco Peloso | Astroparticle physics, Inflation, Cosmology of extra-dimensions, Physics beyond the Standard Model |
| Yong-Zhong Qian | Nuclear/particle astrophysics and cosmology, supernova explosion and
nucleosynthesis, chemical evolution of galaxies, neutrino oscillations and
their effects in astrophysical environments
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| Evan Skillman | Extragalactic Observational Astronomy;
Specializing in: Chemical Evolution of Galaxies, Structure and
Evolution of Dwarf Galaxies, H II Region Abundances, Star Formation, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, Cluster Galaxies |
| Liliya L.R. Williams | Cosmology; distribution of dark matter;
gravitational lensing; formation of structure |
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Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Staff
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Astrophysics and Cosmology Graduate Students
| Erik Aver | |
| Projjwal Banerjee | Nuclear astrophysics |
| Chaoyun Bao | Cosmic Microwave Background, Formation and Evolution of Large Scale Structure of the Universe |
| Danielle Berg | |
| Ke-Jung Chen | Stellar Evolution, Computational Astrophysics |
| Barun Dhar | |
| Steven Dorsher | |
| Scott Fallows | |
| Matthew Fritts | astroparticle physics, cosmology, cryogenics |
| Emir Gumrukcuoglu | Theoretical cosmology and high energy. |
| Burak Himmetoglu | High energy physics and cosmology. |
| Chen Hou | |
| Johannes Hubmayr | |
| Shivaraj Kandhasamy | |
| Jeffrey Klein | |
| Feng Luo | |
| Kristen McQuinn | Galaxy Evolution, Resolved Stellar Populations, Starburst Galaxies |
| Michael Milligan | I am working on the proposed EBEX project in Shaul Hanany's Observational Cosmology Group, principally involved in optical design. |
| Xinjie Qiu | |
| Catherine Raach | |
| Farzad Sadjadi | Gravitational lensing, cosmology, polarimetry, evolutionary computation |
| Ilan Sagiv | |
| Jacob Simones | |
| Steven Warren | |
| Daniel Weisz | |
| Addishiwot Woldesenbet | Gravitational Lensing... |
| Meng-Ru Wu | Particle physics, nuclear astrophysics and cosmology. |
| Jianjie Zhang | |
| Kyle Zilic | Astrophysics, cosmology, CMB polarization |
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