Small-scale fluctuations in the microwave background radiation and multiple gravitational lensing

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185223· OSTI ID:6724707

Kashlinsky, A

It is shown that multiple gravitational lensing of the microwave background radiation (MBR) by static compact objects significantly attenuates small-scale fluctuations in the MBR. Gravitational lensing, by altering trajectories of MBR photons reaching an observer, leads to (phase) mixing of photons from regions with different initial fluctuations. As a result of this diffusion process the original fluctuations are damped on scales up to several arcmin. An equation that describes this process and its general solution are given. It is concluded that the present upper limits on the amplitude of the MBR fluctuations on small scales cannot constrain theories of galaxy formation. 25 references.

• Research Organization: Virginia Univ., Charlottesville (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6724707
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 331
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
RELICT RADIATION
FLUCTUATIONS
BACKGROUND RADIATION
CONSTRAINTS
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMOLOGY
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GRAVITATIONAL LENSES
LIMITING VALUES
NONLUMINOUS MATTER
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LENSES
MICROWAVE RADIATION
RADIATIONS
VARIATIONS
640106* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmology