Thermalization constraints and spectral distortions for massive unstable relic particles

Journal Article · Mon May 03 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Physical Review Letters; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.2661· OSTI ID:6655279

Hu, W ^[1]; Silk, J ^[2]

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1. Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
2. Departments of Astronomy and Physics, and Center for Particle Astrophysics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

Spectral distortions to the cosmic background radiation due to massive unstable relic particles which decayed during the thermalization epoch are calculated. We impose stringent constraints on such particles from recent observations. Early energy injection of this type generates characteristic spectral distortions which could potentially serve to measure the baryon density of the Universe.

• OSTI ID: 6655279
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters; (United States), Vol. 70:18; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMOLOGY
BACKGROUND RADIATION
BARYONS
CONSTRAINTS
PARTICLE DECAY
SPECTROSCOPY
THERMALIZATION
DECAY
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
RADIATIONS
SLOWING-DOWN
661300* - Other Aspects of Physical Science- (1992-)