AST Colloquium: Measuring the Epoch of Reionization using Line Intensity

Measuring the Epoch of Reionization using Line Intensity

Dr. Abigail Crites
Cornell University

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This seminar may be attended in person in 1125 Carlson Hall or online via Zoom.

Abstract:
Dr. Crites will discuss the TIME instrument which is being developed to study emission from the faint objects in our universe using a technique calledline intensity mapping (LIM). This instrument will be used to study the epoch of reionization, advancing our understanding of some of the first astronomical objects in the universe(~ 1 billion years after the Big Bang). TIME is a mm-wavelength spectrometer using Transition Edge Sensor (TES) bolometers to capture photons from these faint objects. The instrument will observe in the frequency range 200-300 GHz with 60 spectral pixels and 16 spatial pixels. TIME will measure redshifted ionized carbon ( [CII] ) emission over the redshift range 5 to 9 in order to probe the evolution of our universe during the epoch of reionization. TIME will also probe low-redshift CO fluctuations and determine the cosmic history of molecular gas in the epoch of peak cosmic star formation, redshift 0.5 to 2. This new instrument and emerging technique will allow us to make complementary measurements to galaxy surveys that are probing these epochs.TIME was installed for an engineering test on the 12m ALMA prototype antenna in Spring of 2019 at the Arizona Radio Observatory on KittPeak and will return to the telescope for 3 seasons of science observations in ~ winter 2021.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Crites’ research is focused on investigating the early universe ( < 1 billion years after the Big Bang) through development and use of mm-wavelength instruments. These instruments are deployed on telescopes to study early galaxies during the epoch of reionization and the cosmic microwave background radiation. Measurements with these instruments will significantly enhance our understanding of astrophysics, fundamental physics, cosmology, and the large-scale structure of the universe

Intended Audience:
All are welcome. Those with interest in the topic.

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