Joint MSI/Theory HEP Seminar

Small Scale Structure of the Universe as seen by pulsars and FRBs

Ue-Li Pen

CITA, University of Toronto & Perimeter Institute

I will describe recent developments in our understanding of the galaxy on scales of AU and smaller through a new technique known as Scintillometry.  While once thought as turbulent down to scales of 1000km, new evidence favours the milky way described by magnetic domains with thin domain boundaries.  In addition to their own physical interest, these giant lenses allow direct mapping of the enigmatic pulsar magnetospheres. I describe past, current, and future measurements enabled by pulsar and FRB VLBI scintillometry.