Dr Alexander Polnarev Project Abstracts

Dr Alexander Polnarev Project Abstracts

BSc Project Abstracts

Gravitational Wave Astronomy
According to General Relativity non-stationary gravitating objects generate the curvature of space-time which far away from these objects can propagate as gravitational waves (GWs). GWs can bring unique astrophysical information about compact objects (such as spinning neutron stars and binary black holes). The first direct detection of gravitational waves based on laser interferometry will be a milestone for fundamental physics and it will open the new observational science of gravitational wave astronomy. But gravitational waves already play an important role in the interpretation of observational data on binary pulsars and cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB). This project will introduce the student to the basic concepts of GWs starting with the analogy of electromagnetic waves, moving on to the description of the main sources of GWs and observational evidence of GWs. The student will also study basic concepts of laser interferometry including the development of detector sensitivity both on the ground (such as Laser Inerferometric Gravitational wave Observatory) and in space (Laser Interferometric Space Antenna). 
 

Primordial Black Holes (PBHs)
PBHs as a unique probe of the Very Early Universe. The range of masses, different mechanisms of PBH’s formation, amplification of their fractional density in radiation dominated expansion, Hawking radiation, observational constraints (nucleosynthesis, gamma-ray background and gamma-ray bursts). The hydrodynamics of PBH’s formation and the problem of initial conditions. 

MSci Review Project Abstracts

Primordial Black Holes (PBHs)
PBHs as a unique probe of the Very Early Universe. The range of masses, different mechanisms of PBH’s formation, amplification of their fractional density in radiation dominated expansion, Hawking radiation, observational constraints (nucleosynthesis, gamma-ray background and gamma-ray bursts). The hydrodynamics of PBH’s formation and the problem of initial conditions. (Prerequisites: Any courses on Cosmology and General Relativity). 

MSci Research/Investigative Project Abstracts

Polarization of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and Cosmological Gravitational waves(CGWs)
The Physics of CMB polarization based on the Tompson scattering of anisotropic CMB radiation on free electrons in pre-galactic plasma. The E and B- modes of polarization and the detection of CGWs. Experiment Bicep2. Gravitational lensing versus CGWs in the generation of B-mode polarization. 

Supermassive Binary Black Holes
Formation of the binary black holes in the course of galaxies mergers. The subsequent evolution of the Binary due to different mechanisms such as 1) dynamical friction, 2) tidal disruption of stars, 3) interaction of smaller black hole with accretion disks around more massive central black hole and 4) gravitational radiation at the final stages of the binary evolution . This project also includes the analysis of observational evidence of Binary black Holes in AGNs and QSOs. 

 

 

Juno Champion

The school holds Juno Champion status, the highest award of this IoP scheme to recognise and reward departments that can demonstrate they have taken action to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.