CMBPol Mission Concept Study: A Mission to Map our Origins
Journal
AIP Conf.Proc.1141:3-9,2009
Journal Volume
1141
ISBN
9780735406780
Date Issued
2008-11-25
Author(s)
Asantha Cooray
Scott Dodelson
Joanna Dunkley
Aurélien A. Fraisse
Mark G. Jackson
Al Kogut
Lawrence M. Krauss
Kendrick M. Smith
Matias Zaldarriaga
Abstract
Quantum mechanical metric fluctuations during an early inflationary phase of
the universe leave a characteristic imprint in the polarization of the cosmic
microwave background (CMB). The amplitude of this signal depends on the energy
scale at which inflation occurred. Detailed observations by a dedicated
satellite mission (CMBPol) therefore provide information about energy scales as
high as $10^{15}$ GeV, twelve orders of magnitude greater than the highest
energies accessible to particle accelerators, and probe the earliest moments in
the history of the universe. This summary provides an overview of a set of
studies exploring the scientific payoff of CMBPol in diverse areas of modern
cosmology, such as the physics of inflation, gravitational lensing and cosmic
reionization, as well as foreground science and removal .
Subjects
Astrophysics; Astrophysics; High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
SDGs
Description
6 pages, 3 figures
Type
conference paper