Physics Colloquium
Exploring the Universe’s First Billion Years with the Hydrogen 21 cm Line
Prof. Saleem Zaroubi
Open University of Israel (OUI)
Abstract
*** NOTE: Special venue ****
One of the main probes for exploring the first billion years of cosmological evolution is the redshifted hyperfine transition of neutral hydrogen, also known as the 21 cm line, which requires very low-frequency radio observations. In this talk, I will present the physics of the 21 cm line and its connection to the physical properties of the intergalactic medium. The first billion years are usually divided into three eras (The Dark Ages, Cosmic Dawn, and Epoch of Reionization), defined by the observable redshifted 21 cm signal. The topology and evolution of the redshifted 21 cm signal during these eras, and their relationship to cosmological and structure-formation models, will be presented. I will present the field’s observational status and the various projects currently running or planned for the near future. The course will show the latest results from these experiments. The talk will conclude with a discussion of the field’s prospects.
One of the main probes for exploring the first billion years of cosmological evolution is the redshifted hyperfine transition of neutral hydrogen, also known as the 21 cm line, which requires very low-frequency radio observations. In this talk, I will present the physics of the 21 cm line and its connection to the physical properties of the intergalactic medium. The first billion years are usually divided into three eras (The Dark Ages, Cosmic Dawn, and Epoch of Reionization), defined by the observable redshifted 21 cm signal. The topology and evolution of the redshifted 21 cm signal during these eras, and their relationship to cosmological and structure-formation models, will be presented. I will present the field’s observational status and the various projects currently running or planned for the near future. The course will show the latest results from these experiments. The talk will conclude with a discussion of the field’s prospects.