Research

Physical Sciences

Title :

Constraining physics of the early universe with low-frequency radio observations

Area of research :

Physical Sciences

Focus area :

Astrophysics

Principal Investigator :

Dr. suvedha suresh Naik, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, Karnataka

Timeline Start Year :

2024

Timeline End Year :

2026

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

The theory of cosmic inflation suggests that the universe experienced rapid expansion, leading to primordial density perturbations. However, this theory accommodates various models, many of which predict their unique signatures, or "primordial features." The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations provide crucial information about the early universe, but recent CMB data still accommodates many primordial features. The Epoch of Reionization (EoR) is believed to have been ionized by high energy radiation from the first stars and galaxies, about 100 million years after the Big Bang. The redshifted 21cm signal from neutral hydrogen is expected to contain inflationary signatures. The proposed project aims to investigate the signatures of other inflationary models on the 21cm signal, revisiting constraints on EoR and inflation. The upcoming square Kilometer Array (sKA) telescope will be used to constrain both inflation and EoR, using Bayesian analysis methods and geometrical and topological data analysis methods. The study aims to answer open questions in the field of type Iax and Ib sNe using available observing facilities and archival data.

Total Budget (INR):

Organizations involved