Constraining the Epoch of Recombination with Recent Observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background
Constraining the Epoch of Recombination with Recent Observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background

Author: Angela M. Linn

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Abstract: The radiation in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) last scattered off of matter during the epoch of recombination, when nuclei captured electrons for the first time, and its predicted anisotropy power spectra are sensitive to the details of recombination. In light of recent high quality observations of the CMB, it is worthwhile to re-examine the constraints that can be placed on recombination. We use a very general extension to the standard model of recombination characterized by two parameters, a and b, which multiply the overall rates of recombination and ionization and the binding energies of hydrogen respectively. We utilize WMAP temperature and TE cross-correlation data, along with temperature data at smaller scales from ACBAR and CBI, to place constraints on these parameters. The range of recombination histories which are the best match to the data fall within the range -0.4

Constraining the Thermal History of the Universe with the Cosmic Microwave Background
Constraining the Thermal History of the Universe with the Cosmic Microwave Background

Author: Silvia Galli

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13:

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The excellent agreement between the Standard Model of Cosmology and the recent measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) permits to constrain a wide range of physical processes. In particular, in this thesis we exploit the remarkable agreement between the theoretical description of the recombination process, occurring at z~1000, and the CMB data to severely constrain phenomena that affect the evolution of the thermal history of the universe. This contributes answering some important issues still unsolved in the standard model of cosmology. We first address the problem of the nature of dark matter. An extra energy injection due to dark matter annihilation during the epoch of recombination would affect the shape of the CMB power spectra. This allows to constrain dark matter properties using the CMB. The second question regards the validity of conventional physics to describe the Universe. New fundamental theories might predict the space-time variation of fundamental 'constants'. In this thesis we test the constancy of the gravitational constant and of the fine structure constant using the CMB. The third question concerns the characteristics (and in particular, the evolution) of dark energy. The information that can be extracted from the CMB is limited, making necessary the use of complementary probes that can break degeneracies between parameters. This is the case for the evolution of the dark energy equation of state with time, that the CMB can only weakly constrain. We thus show how the observation of clusters of galaxies combined with CMB can be a powerful tool to constrain dark energy.

The Early Universe and the Cosmic Microwave Background: Theory and Observations
The Early Universe and the Cosmic Microwave Background: Theory and Observations

Author: Norma G. Sànchez

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 583

ISBN-13: 9400710585

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The goal of the Daniel Chalonge School on Astrofundamental Physics is to contribute to a theory of the universe (and particularly of the early universe) up to the marks, and at the scientific height of, the unprecedented accuracy, existent and expected, in the observational data. The impressive development of modern cosmology during the last decades is to a large extent due to its unification with elementary particle physics and quantum field theory. The cross-section between these fields has been increasing setting up Astrofundamental Physics. The early universe is an exceptional (theoretical and experimental) laboratory in this new discipline. This NATO Advanced Study Institute provided an up dated understanding, from a fundamental physics and deep point of view, of the progress and key issues in the early universe and the cosmic microwave background: theory and observations. The genuine interplay with large scale structure formation and dark matter problem were discussed. The central focus was placed on the cosmic microwave background. Emphasis was given to the precise inter-relation between fundamental physics and cosmology in these problems, both at the theoretical and experimental/observational levels, within a deep and well defined programme which provided in addition, a careful interdisciplinarity. Special sessions were devoted to high energy cosmic rays, neutrinos in astrophysics, and high energy astrophysics. Deep understanding, clarification, synthesis, careful interdisciplinarity within a fundamental physics framework, were the main goals of the course.

The Cosmic Microwave Background
The Cosmic Microwave Background

Author: Júlio C. Fabris

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-06-15

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 9783319831329

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The series of texts composing this book is based on the lectures presented during the II José Plínio Baptista School of Cosmology, held in Pedra Azul (Espírito Santo, Brazil) between 9 and 14 March 2014. This II JBPCosmo has been entirely devoted to the problem of understanding theoretical and observational aspects of Cosmic Background Radiation (CMB).The CMB is one of the most important phenomena in Physics and a fundamental probe of our Universe when it was only 400,000 years old. It is an extraordinary laboratory where we can learn from particle physics to cosmology; its discovery in 1965 has been a landmark event in the history of physics.The observations of the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation through the satellites COBE, WMAP and Planck provided a huge amount of data which are being analyzed in order to discover important informations regarding the composition of our universe and the process of structure formation.

3K: The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
3K: The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

Author: R. B. Partridge

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1995-07-13

Total Pages: 397

ISBN-13: 0521352541

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A review covering all aspects of the study of the cosmic background radiation remnant of the hot Big Bang origin of the Universe.

The Music of the Big Bang
The Music of the Big Bang

Author: Amedeo Balbi

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-10-16

Total Pages: 167

ISBN-13: 3540787283

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Ever since its infancy, humankind has been seeking answers to some very basic and profound questions. Did the Universe begin? If it did, how old is it, and where did it come from? What is its shape? What is it made of? Fascinating myths and brilliant in- itions attempting to solve such enigmas can be found all through the history of human thought. Every culture has its own legends, itsownworldcreationtales,itsphilosophicalspeculations,itsre- gious beliefs. Modern science, however, cannot content itself with fanciful explanations, no matter how suggestive they are. No- days, our theories about the Universe, built upon rational ded- tion, have to survive the hard test of experiment and observation. Cosmology, the science which studies the origin and evo- tion of the Universe, had to overcome enormous dif?culties before it could achieve the same level of dignity as other physical dis- plines. At ?rst, it had no serious physical model and mathematical tools that could be used to address the complexity of the problems it had to face. Then, it suffered from a chronic lack of experim- tal data, which made it almost impossible to test the theoretical speculations. Given this situation, answering rigorously the many questions on the nature of the Universe seemed nothing more than a delusion. Today, however, things have changed. We live in the golden age of cosmology: an exciting moment, when, for the ?rst time, we are able to scienti?cally understand our Universe.

Present and Future of the Cosmic Microwave Background
Present and Future of the Cosmic Microwave Background

Author: Jose L. Sanz

Publisher: Springer

Published: 1994-02-28

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13:

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These review articles by outstanding specialists cover the present status ofthe observations of the spectrum and of the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Experimental developments, data analysis and related theoretical aspects are also treated. The idea is to review and discuss at a level accessible to non-specialised astronomers and graduate students the most recent developments in this field as well as the future perspectives for astrophysics and cosmology in particular.

The Physics of the Cosmic Microwave Background
The Physics of the Cosmic Microwave Background

Author: Pavel D. Naselsky

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2011-08-18

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781107403123

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Spectacular observational breakthroughs, particularly by the WMAP satellite, have led to a new epoch of CMB science long after its original discovery. Taking a physical approach, the authors of this volume probe the problem of the 'darkness' of the Universe: the origin and evolution of dark energy and matter in the cosmos. Starting with the observational background of modern cosmology, they provide an accessible review of this fascinating yet complex subject. Topics discussed include the kinetics of the electromagnetic radiation in the Universe, the ionization history of cosmic plamas, the origin of primordial perturbations in light of the inflation paradigm, and the formation of anisotropy and polarization of the CMB. This fascinating review will be valuable to advanced students and researchers in cosmology.

Present and Future of the Cosmic Microwave Background
Present and Future of the Cosmic Microwave Background

Author: Jose L. Sanz

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2014-03-12

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 9783662139912

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These review articles by outstanding specialists cover the present status ofthe observations of the spectrum and of the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Experimental developments, data analysis and related theoretical aspects are also treated. The idea is to review and discuss at a level accessible to non-specialised astronomers and graduate students the most recent developments in this field as well as the future perspectives for astrophysics and cosmology in particular.