ERC Consolidator Grant · 2016
Next Steps in Cosmology with CMB Spectral Distortions
The average spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) has long been known to be extremely close to a perfect blackbody. Yet, several processes, standard and non-standard, exist that may cause deviations from a blackbody spectrum, commonly referred to as CMB spectral distortions. Classical distortion shapes are known as Compton-y and chemical potential (µ-type) distortions; however, recently it has been shown that more general distortions can be created at redshifts 10^4 < z < 3×10^5. This makes spectral distortions a unique and powerful probe of different early-universe processes. The immense potential of CMB spectral distortion measurements and their synergies with upcoming CMB…
From the public funding record at EU CORDIS. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.