Science w/ Fast Radio Telescopes Information

PURPOSE:

Technological advances have opened the possibility of surveying the large scale structure in huge cosmological volumes at modest costs by measuring intensity fluctuation in the 21cm emission from unresolved galaxies. Such a project could be a stage III-IV dark energy probe, pre-SKA. A generic telescope might have

very broad band (think 1 GHz +/- 500 MHz),

high spectral resolution (think 1 MHz),

moderate angular resolution (think 10 arcminutes),

survey a very wide area (think 10,000 square degrees),

produce low noise intensity maps (think 50 µK)

Such a telescope will have other astronomical applications as well. The variation of the total 21cm flux at with redshift (z=0-2) will give us a new handle on galaxy evolution. Studies of Galactic radio emission should aid in understanding foregrounds for future CMB polarization experiments as well as undertanding the structure of the Galactic magnetic field. Searches for the angular variations of subtle features in the synchrotron spectrum will give us clues to the origin of the the high energy electrons (and positrons) which produce the synchrotron emission, whether they be purely from supernova remnants, or from more exotic sources such as dark matter annihilation. Such a telescope would provide daily monitoring of pulsars and might be used in discovery, as well. Developing other ideas for the use of such a telescope will be a major theme at this workshop. Please bring your ideas!

This short intensive workshop at Fermilab will bring together experts on a broad range of fields to discuss theoretical and technological challenges involved. New technologies such as FFT telescopes and MOFF correlators will be discussed, as will technological challanges, such as real-time calibration, ionospherics, and site selection. We expect this to be less of a "recent results" worshop, but more of a classroom.

LOCATION:

The workshop will take place in Wilson Hall - the main building of Fermilab (alias "highrise"), in Curia II. The room is in the south-west corner of the building, on the 2nd floor.

The workshop will open on Thu, Oct 8, at 9am. The schedule of talks will be available shortly.

REGISTRATION:

There is no registration fee. If you are interested in attending please contact Nick Gnedin (gnedin at fnal dot gov). If you wish to present something let us know as soon as you know.

ACCOMODATION:

Many visitors to Fermilab have found it convenient to stay at the Comfort Inn in Geneva within two miles of the laboratory, but many other options are available. If you need further help please contact Judy Rippel (jlrippel at fnal dot gov).

TRANSPORTATION:

Fermilab is located in the far western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. The nearest commercial aiport is Chicago's O'Hare Airport (ORD). Midway Airport (MDW) airport is also nearby. Unfortunately it is inconvenient to visit Fermilab without an automobile, so it is advisible to rent one or coordinate with someone who has one.