skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Constraints on standard and non-standard early universe models from CMB B-mode polarization

Abstract

We investigate the observational signatures of three models of the early Universe in the B-mode polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation. In addition to the standard single field inflationary model, we also consider the constraints obtainable on the loop quantum cosmology model (from Loop Quantum Gravity) and on cosmic strings, expected to be copiously produced during the latter stages of Brane inflation. We first examine the observational features of the three models, and then use current B-mode polarization data from the BICEP and QUaD experiments to constrain their parameters. We also examine the detectability of the primordial B-mode signal predicted by these models and forecast the parameter constraints achievable with future CMB polarization experiments. We find that: (a) since B-mode polarization measurements are mostly unaffected by parameter degeneracies, they provide the cleanest probe of these early Universe models; (b) using the BICEP and QUaD data we obtain the following parameter constraints: r = 0.02{sup +0.31}{sub −0.26} (1σ for the tensor-to-scalar ratio in the single field inflationary model); m < 1.36 × 10{sup −8}M{sub pl} and k{sub *} < 2.43 × 10{sup −4} Mpc{sup −1} (1σ for the mass and scale parameters in the loop quantum cosmology model); andmore » Gμ < 5.77 × 10{sup −7} (1σ for the cosmic string tension); (c) future CMB observations (both satellite missions and forthcoming sub-orbital experiments) will provide much more rigorous tests of these early Universe models.« less

Authors:
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Kavli Institute for Cosmology Cambridge and Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HA (United Kingdom)
  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, The Parade, Cardiff, CF24 3AA (United Kingdom)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22275340
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 2010; Journal Issue: 10; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 1475-7516
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
79 ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY; COSMOLOGY; INFLATIONARY UNIVERSE; LIMITING VALUES; POLARIZATION; QUANTUM GRAVITY; RELICT RADIATION; SCALARS; STRING MODELS; TENSORS; UNIVERSE

Citation Formats

Ma, Yin-Zhe, Brown, Michael L., and Zhao, Wen. Constraints on standard and non-standard early universe models from CMB B-mode polarization. United States: N. p., 2010. Web. doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2010/10/007.
Ma, Yin-Zhe, Brown, Michael L., & Zhao, Wen. Constraints on standard and non-standard early universe models from CMB B-mode polarization. United States. https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2010/10/007
Ma, Yin-Zhe, Brown, Michael L., and Zhao, Wen. 2010. "Constraints on standard and non-standard early universe models from CMB B-mode polarization". United States. https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2010/10/007.
@article{osti_22275340,
title = {Constraints on standard and non-standard early universe models from CMB B-mode polarization},
author = {Ma, Yin-Zhe and Brown, Michael L. and Zhao, Wen},
abstractNote = {We investigate the observational signatures of three models of the early Universe in the B-mode polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation. In addition to the standard single field inflationary model, we also consider the constraints obtainable on the loop quantum cosmology model (from Loop Quantum Gravity) and on cosmic strings, expected to be copiously produced during the latter stages of Brane inflation. We first examine the observational features of the three models, and then use current B-mode polarization data from the BICEP and QUaD experiments to constrain their parameters. We also examine the detectability of the primordial B-mode signal predicted by these models and forecast the parameter constraints achievable with future CMB polarization experiments. We find that: (a) since B-mode polarization measurements are mostly unaffected by parameter degeneracies, they provide the cleanest probe of these early Universe models; (b) using the BICEP and QUaD data we obtain the following parameter constraints: r = 0.02{sup +0.31}{sub −0.26} (1σ for the tensor-to-scalar ratio in the single field inflationary model); m < 1.36 × 10{sup −8}M{sub pl} and k{sub *} < 2.43 × 10{sup −4} Mpc{sup −1} (1σ for the mass and scale parameters in the loop quantum cosmology model); and Gμ < 5.77 × 10{sup −7} (1σ for the cosmic string tension); (c) future CMB observations (both satellite missions and forthcoming sub-orbital experiments) will provide much more rigorous tests of these early Universe models.},
doi = {10.1088/1475-7516/2010/10/007},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22275340}, journal = {Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics},
issn = {1475-7516},
number = 10,
volume = 2010,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010},
month = {Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010}
}