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NEWS
April 2022
£5M grant awarded to Cavendish Astrophysics to build “brains”
of the world’s largest radio telescope (Eloy de Lera Acedo, PI).
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REACH All-hands meeting hosted by the Kavli Institute for Cosmology in Cambridge.
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REACH featured in the SKA CONTACT magazine.
£5M grant awarded to Cavendish Astrophysics to build “brains”
of the world’s largest radio telescope (Eloy de Lera Acedo, PI).
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REACH All-hands meeting hosted by the Kavli Institute for Cosmology in Cambridge.
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REACH featured in the SKA CONTACT magazine.
February-March 2022
Funding awarded to the group for the development of CosmoCube, a CubeSat-based radiometer for studies of the Dark Ages from Moon's orbit. Follow this link for more information.
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Dominic Anstey and Eloy de Lera Acedo visit the Karoo to continue the installation of REACH.
Funding awarded to the group for the development of CosmoCube, a CubeSat-based radiometer for studies of the Dark Ages from Moon's orbit. Follow this link for more information.
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Dominic Anstey and Eloy de Lera Acedo visit the Karoo to continue the installation of REACH.
January 2022
Some exciting events to start the new year:
Samuel Leeney joins the group for a MPhil project on Bayesian data analysis of the 21-cm line. Welcome Samuel!
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Eloy de Lera has started his STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship
on January 1st.
Some exciting events to start the new year:
Samuel Leeney joins the group for a MPhil project on Bayesian data analysis of the 21-cm line. Welcome Samuel!
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Eloy de Lera has started his STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship
on January 1st.
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Dr Eloy
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My research, funded by STFC, is on 21-cm cosmology: Dark Ages, Cosmic Dawn, Epoch of Reionization. I lead the Cavendish Radio Cosmology research group at Cavendish Astrophysics and I am the initiator and PI of the REACH experiment. I am also involved in other projects for astronomy (e.g. SKA, HERA) and ultra fast digital communications and EM metrology, with a focus on applications of astronomy-inspired technology in society. I have recently been awarded a STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship for a 5 year period that started in January 2022.
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Mr Samuel Leeney
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I am a Physics graduate from The University of Nottingham, with an experience in medical imaging using convolutional neural networks. My past research, which is currently being implemented at NU Hospital, used a multimodal approach. Autofluorescence images are analysed to provide sampling points for Raman spectra analysis, providing a highly sensitive diagnosis on malignant tissue in intra-operative timeframes. For REACH, I will be working on the development of the data analysis pipeline using Bayesian inference via the Polychord nested sampling algorithm.
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Mr Simon Pochinda
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I am a PhD student funded by the Cambridge Trust, the Isaac Newton Trust and the Cambridge STFC CDT in Data Intensive Science. I will be focusing on utilising radio data from REACH/HERA along with upcoming data from the James Webb Space Telescope to provide joint constraints on cosmological parameters from the epoch of re-ionization. Previous research includes my MSc thesis from the University of Copenhagen. There I worked on developing techniques to model spectral energy distributions of high redshift dusty star forming galaxies from UV-optical data by imposing energy balance.
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Mr Oscar Sage David O’Hara
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Funded in partnership between The University of Cambridge, The National Physics Laboratory and the European Space Agency. This collaborative project focuses on the development of a high sensitivity Electro-Optic antenna system alongside associated physics-motivated computational models aimed to classify electromagnetic emission in an environment with an extremely low S/N ratio. Before undertaking my PhD at Cambridge, I had research experience in the Very Low-Frequency Monitoring of the Earth's Ionosphere and the Impacts of Solar Flares.
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Mx Emma Shen
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I work on data analysis and modelling of foreground in global 21-cm experiments (e.g. REACH). The goal is to compensate for the effects using an advance nested sampler, PolyChord, based on Bayesian techniques. I have done some work on quantifying and analysing the chromatic ionospheric effects for my master’s project. The project is jointly funded by Cambridge Trust and the Ministry of Education in Taiwan.
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Mr Thomas Gessey-Jones
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My PhD project, funded by STFC, centres around providing a bridge between the experimentalists, data analysts, and theoreticians currently working on 21cm radio cosmology in Cambridge. In practise this means examining the results of the REACH and HERA experiments in light of various theoretical models that have been proposed for the 21cm emission signal.
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Mr Kilian
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My PhD project, funded by the Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, is in data analysis of the 21-cm signal using the cosmological experiments REACH and HERA. To achieve a successful detection of the aforementioned signal, I will use advanced bayesian techniques for signal extraction but will also consider alternative approaches by using machine learning algorithms. Before joining Cambridge, I had research experience in Spectroscopy and Photometry. For my M.Sc., I studied the chemical evolution of metal-poor stars within the Globular Cluster M30 by analyzing relative abundance trends and patterns. Furthermore, I gained computational experience by simulating the ionospheric composition of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Additionally, I used basic photometry to derive comet parameters.
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Mr Harry
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I work on data analysis techniques for Global 21-cm cosmology experiments such as REACH. I have looked primarily at the modelling of foregrounds with Maximally Smooth Functions (MSFs) and associated similar functions. I am the lead author and maintainer of the code maxsmooth which can be used to rapidly and efficiently fit MSFs. I am currently looking at Global 21-cm signal emulators.
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Mr Dominic
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My work is on the development of a Bayesian data analysis pipeline for the REACH experiment. Based on a nested sampling tool (Polychord), this pipeline aims at a join fit of the cosmological 21-cm sky-averaged signal, the foregrounds and the instrument itself using physics-rooted models, measurements and simulations. This work is funded by STFC.
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Mr John
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My PhD project is funded by EPSRC and BT Labs and it is dedicated at studying impedance matching problems with applications in ultra fast digital communications and radio astronomy (e.g. the REACH experiment). For REACH I am focusing on the design of the Wideband dipole antenna using a suite of tools including numerical EM simulations and PCA analysis. These same tools are in turn used to study and model the performance of twisted pairs at frequencies beyond those in use currently, with the aim of enhancing data transmission through existing networks.
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Mr Alec
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My current work focuses on the commissioning of interferometric and global 21cm instruments, which seek to detect and study the epoch of reionization (EoR) and the first stellar light in the universe. I study the impact of systematic, analog electronic effects on interferometric 21cm analysis techniques; the mitigation of internal instrument (mutual coupling) effects on tightly-packed, redundantly-calibrated arrays; and radio frequency interference (RFI) flagging techniques. I am also developing a low-cost, RFI monitoring system using only off-the-shelf components, which directly contributes to the analysis efforts of precision, 21cm cosmology instruments. My work is funded by the HERA experiment.
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Dr Quentin
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My work focuses on developing EM modelling methods and calibration algorithms for wide-band phased arrays, such as the ones to be used by the SKA telescope. My work is funded by STFC. Previously I worked on Inhomogeneous plane-wave spectrum based Physical Optics for the simulation of urban radio propagation. I am currently focusing on the development of very fast calibration algorithms for phased arrays including all mutual coupling effects.
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Past group members
Dr Edgar Colin-Beltran, research fellow INOAE, Mexico (2013-2015) - Design of LPD antennas for the SKA MFAA instrument - Now researcher at INOAE
Dr Jens Abraham, research assistant (2015-2017) - Modelling and characterisation of SKA1-LOW antennas, LNAs and arrays - Now researcher at 3D Radar
Mr Nicholas Fagnoni, PhD student (2015-2021) - Electromagnetic modelling and design of the HERA front-end system - Now research engineer at Airbus
Dr Hardie Pienaar, PDRA (2017-2018) - Design of SKALA4, SKA1-LOW array design, UAV measurements - Now researcher at Reutech
Dr Christos Kolitsidas, visiting student (KTH Stockholm - 2017) - Chromatic effects in Global 21-cm cosmology experiments - Now researcher at Ericsson
Dr Nausika Memeletzoglou, visiting student (UC3M Madrid - 2019) - Metasurface ground planes for radio cosmology - Now researcher in Industry
Mr Shijie Sun, visiting researcher (CAS Beijing - 2020) - Receiver calibration for Global 21-cm cosmology experiments - Now research engineer at CAS
Dr Ergin Dinc, PDRA (2019-2021) - Surface Wave launcher design for ultra fast digital communications - Now research engineer at Isotropic Systems
Dr Syed Bukhari, PDRA (2019-2022) - Surface Wave launcher design for ultra fast digital communications -
Mr Nicholas Leherter, MPhil (2020-2022) - Measurements of low level EM emissions - Now research engineer in Industry
Dr Jens Abraham, research assistant (2015-2017) - Modelling and characterisation of SKA1-LOW antennas, LNAs and arrays - Now researcher at 3D Radar
Mr Nicholas Fagnoni, PhD student (2015-2021) - Electromagnetic modelling and design of the HERA front-end system - Now research engineer at Airbus
Dr Hardie Pienaar, PDRA (2017-2018) - Design of SKALA4, SKA1-LOW array design, UAV measurements - Now researcher at Reutech
Dr Christos Kolitsidas, visiting student (KTH Stockholm - 2017) - Chromatic effects in Global 21-cm cosmology experiments - Now researcher at Ericsson
Dr Nausika Memeletzoglou, visiting student (UC3M Madrid - 2019) - Metasurface ground planes for radio cosmology - Now researcher in Industry
Mr Shijie Sun, visiting researcher (CAS Beijing - 2020) - Receiver calibration for Global 21-cm cosmology experiments - Now research engineer at CAS
Dr Ergin Dinc, PDRA (2019-2021) - Surface Wave launcher design for ultra fast digital communications - Now research engineer at Isotropic Systems
Dr Syed Bukhari, PDRA (2019-2022) - Surface Wave launcher design for ultra fast digital communications -
Mr Nicholas Leherter, MPhil (2020-2022) - Measurements of low level EM emissions - Now research engineer in Industry
Other Cambridge researchers
collaborating with the group
Prof. Paul Alexander (Director of Battcock Centre for Experimental Astrophysics) - radio cosmology
Prof. Roberto Maiolino (Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmology in Cambridge) - galaxy evolution
Prof. Richard Hills (Emeritus Professor of Radio Astronomy) - radio astronomy
Dr. Bojan Nikolic (Principal Research Associate) - SKA, HERA, REACH
Dr. Nima Razavi-Ghods (Principal Research Associate) - SKA, HERA, REACH
Dr. Andrew J. Faulkner (Principal Research Associate), SKA
Dr. Will Handley (Royal Society University Research Fellow) - REACH
{co-supervisor of Mr Dominic Anstey, Mr Harry Bevins, Mr Thomas Gessey-Jones and Mr Kilian Scheutwinkel}
Dr Anastasia Fialkov (Lecturer at the Institute of Astronomy) - REACH, HERA
{co-supervisor of Mr Harry Bevins, Mr Thomas Gessey-Jones and Mx Emma Shen}
Dr Anas Moshin (Royal Society Research Fellow) - Ultra fast digital communications
{co-supervisor of Mr John Cumner and Dr Syed Bukhari}
Prof Mike Payne (Head of Cavendish Theory of Condensed Matter Group) - Ultra fast digital communications
Prof Richard Penty (Engineering Department) - Ultra fast digital communications
Dr Michael Crisp (Engineering Department) - Ultra fast digital communications
Prof. Roberto Maiolino (Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmology in Cambridge) - galaxy evolution
Prof. Richard Hills (Emeritus Professor of Radio Astronomy) - radio astronomy
Dr. Bojan Nikolic (Principal Research Associate) - SKA, HERA, REACH
Dr. Nima Razavi-Ghods (Principal Research Associate) - SKA, HERA, REACH
Dr. Andrew J. Faulkner (Principal Research Associate), SKA
Dr. Will Handley (Royal Society University Research Fellow) - REACH
{co-supervisor of Mr Dominic Anstey, Mr Harry Bevins, Mr Thomas Gessey-Jones and Mr Kilian Scheutwinkel}
Dr Anastasia Fialkov (Lecturer at the Institute of Astronomy) - REACH, HERA
{co-supervisor of Mr Harry Bevins, Mr Thomas Gessey-Jones and Mx Emma Shen}
Dr Anas Moshin (Royal Society Research Fellow) - Ultra fast digital communications
{co-supervisor of Mr John Cumner and Dr Syed Bukhari}
Prof Mike Payne (Head of Cavendish Theory of Condensed Matter Group) - Ultra fast digital communications
Prof Richard Penty (Engineering Department) - Ultra fast digital communications
Dr Michael Crisp (Engineering Department) - Ultra fast digital communications
Major collaborations
Our current major collaborations include:
Research in Radio-astronomy
Prof Aaron Parsons and Dr David DeBoer (UC Berkley, US) - HERA project
Prof Jackie Hewitt (MIT, US) - HERA project
Dr Colin Lonsdale and Dr Frank Lind (MIT- Haystack observatory, US) - RAPID project
Prof Kris Zarb Adami (Malta university, Malta, and Oxford university, UK) - SKA, REACH
Dr Lincoln Greenhill (Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, US) - 21-cm cosmology
Research in Technology
Prof Christophe Craeye (UcL Belgium) - Array design, EM modelling, Array calibration
Prof Dirk de Villiers (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) - Antenna design, REACH experiment
Prof Stuart Gregson (QMUL, UK) - EM measurements
Prof Anthony K Brown (QMUL, UK) - Array calibration and EM measurements
Prof Clive Parini (QMUL, UK) - EM measurements
SyMAT COST action and its members, mainly:
Prof Eva Rajo (UC3M, Spain) - Metasurfaces
Prof Oscar Quevedo Teruel (KTH, Sweden) - Metasurfaces
Prof Guido Valerio (UPMC, Paris, France) - Higher symmetry structures
Main Industry collaborators with whom we currently have projects
Cambridge Consultants Ltd. - Radio antennas and low noise amplifiers
National Physics Laboratory - Measurements of low-levels of EM emissions
BT Labs - Ultra fast Surface Wave Communications
European Space Agency - Measurements of low-levels of EM emissions
Research in Radio-astronomy
Prof Aaron Parsons and Dr David DeBoer (UC Berkley, US) - HERA project
Prof Jackie Hewitt (MIT, US) - HERA project
Dr Colin Lonsdale and Dr Frank Lind (MIT- Haystack observatory, US) - RAPID project
Prof Kris Zarb Adami (Malta university, Malta, and Oxford university, UK) - SKA, REACH
Dr Lincoln Greenhill (Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, US) - 21-cm cosmology
Research in Technology
Prof Christophe Craeye (UcL Belgium) - Array design, EM modelling, Array calibration
Prof Dirk de Villiers (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) - Antenna design, REACH experiment
Prof Stuart Gregson (QMUL, UK) - EM measurements
Prof Anthony K Brown (QMUL, UK) - Array calibration and EM measurements
Prof Clive Parini (QMUL, UK) - EM measurements
SyMAT COST action and its members, mainly:
Prof Eva Rajo (UC3M, Spain) - Metasurfaces
Prof Oscar Quevedo Teruel (KTH, Sweden) - Metasurfaces
Prof Guido Valerio (UPMC, Paris, France) - Higher symmetry structures
Main Industry collaborators with whom we currently have projects
Cambridge Consultants Ltd. - Radio antennas and low noise amplifiers
National Physics Laboratory - Measurements of low-levels of EM emissions
BT Labs - Ultra fast Surface Wave Communications
European Space Agency - Measurements of low-levels of EM emissions
