Measurements of B-mode Polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background from 500 Square Degrees of SPTpol Data
We report a B-mode power spectrum measurement from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization anisotropy observations made using the SPTpol instrument on the South Pole Telescope. This work uses 500 deg$^2$ of SPTpol data, a five-fold increase over the last SPTpol B-mode release. As a result, the bandpower uncertainties have been reduced by more than a factor of two, and the measurement extends to lower multipoles: $$52 < \ell < 2301$$. Data from both 95 and 150 GHz are used, allowing for three cross-spectra: 95 GHz x 95 GHz, 95 GHz x 150 GHz, and 150 GHz x 150 GHz. B-mode power is detected at very high significance; we find $$P(BB < 0) = 5.8 \times 10^{-71}$$, corresponding to a $$18.1 \sigma$$ detection of power. An upper limit is set on the tensor-to-scalar ratio, $r < 0.44$ at 95% confidence (the expected $$1 \sigma$$ constraint on $$r$$ given the measurement uncertainties is 0.22). We find the measured B-mode power is consistent with the Planck best-fit $$\Lambda$$CDM model predictions. Scaling the predicted lensing B-mode power in this model by a factor Alens, the data prefer Alens = $$1.17 \pm 0.13$$. These data are currently the most precise measurements of B-mode power at $$\ell > 320$$.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States); Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)
- Contributing Organization:
- SPT
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11359
- OSTI ID:
- 1574972
- Report Number(s):
- arXiv:1910.05748; FERMILAB-PUB-19-536-AE-PPD; oai:inspirehep.net:1758873
- Journal Information:
- TBD, Journal Name: TBD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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