Linear and circular polarization of the cosmic background radiation

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (74) References (11) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Linear and circular polarization of the cosmic background radiation Lubin, P. ; Melese, P. ; Smoot, G. Abstract New data which consist of continued measurements of the linear polarization of the cosmic background radiation as well as the first measurement of the circular polarization are examined. Eleven declinations have been surveyed for linear polarization and one declination for circular polarization, all at 9 mm wavelength. No evidence is found for either a significant linear or circular component with statistical errors on the linear component of 20-60 microK for various models. For linear polarization, a 95 percent confidence level limit of 0.1 mK (0.00003) for an axisymmetric anisotropic model is achieved, while for spherical harmonics through third order, a corresponding limit of 0.2 mK is achieved. For a declination of 37 deg, a limit of 12 mK is placed on the time-varying component and 20 mK on the dc component of the circular polarization at the 95 percent confidence level. At 37 percent declination, the sensitivity per beam patch (7 deg) is 0.2 mK. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: October 1983 DOI: 10.1086/184128 Bibcode: 1983ApJ...273L..51L Keywords: Circular Polarization; Cosmic Rays; Cosmology; Linear Polarization; Relic Radiation; Anisotropy; Spherical Harmonics; Space Radiation full text sources ADS |