Constraining isocurvature initial conditions with WMAP 3-year data

Journal Article · Fri Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Physical Review. D, Particles Fields

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVD.74.063503· OSTI ID:20871177

Bean, Rachel ^[1]; Dunkley, Joanna ^[2]; Pierpaoli, Elena ^[3]

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1. Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States)
2. Department of Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 (United States)
3. Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0484 (United States)

We present constraints on the presence of isocurvature modes from the temperature and polarization cosmic microwave background (CMB) spectrum data from the WMAP satellite alone, and in combination with other data sets including SDSS galaxy survey and SNLS supernovae. We find that the inclusion of polarization data allows the WMAP data alone, as well as in combination with complementary observations, to place improved limits on the contribution of CDM and neutrino density isocurvature components individually. With general correlations, the upper limits on these subdominant isocurvature components are reduced to {approx}60% of the first year WMAP results, with specific limits depending on the type of fluctuations. If multiple isocurvature components are allowed, however, we find that the data still allow a majority of the initial power to come from isocurvature modes. As well as providing general constraints we also consider their interpretation in light of specific theoretical models like the curvaton and double inflation.

• OSTI ID: 20871177
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Journal Name: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 74; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
CORRELATIONS
COSMIC NEUTRINOS
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
COSMOLOGY
DENSITY
ENERGY SPECTRA
FLUCTUATIONS
GALAXIES
POLARIZATION
RELICT RADIATION
SUPERNOVAE