The Physics of the Cosmic Microwave Background

by Naselsky, Pavel D.; Novikov, Dmitry I.; Novikov, Igor D.

• ISBN13: 9781107403123
• ISBN10: 110740312X
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-18
• Publisher: Textstream

Summary

Spectacular observational breakthroughs, particularly by the WMAP satellite, have led to a new epoch of CMB science long after its original discovery. Taking a physical approach, the authors of this volume, which was first published in 2006, probe the problem of the 'darkness' of the Universe: the origin and evolution of dark energy and matter in the cosmos. Starting with the observational background of modern cosmology, they provide an accessible review of this fascinating yet complex subject. Topics discussed include the kinetics of the electromagnetic radiation in the Universe, the ionization history of cosmic plamas, the origin of primordial perturbations in light of the inflation paradigm, and the formation of anisotropy and polarization of the CMB. This fascinating review will be valuable to advanced students and researchers in cosmology.

Table of Contents

Prefaces

Observational foundations

Kinetics of electromagnetic radiation

The ionization history of the Universe

Primordial cosmic background radiation and small perturbations of uniform cosmological model

Primary anisotropy of CMB

Primordial polarization of the cosmic microwave background

Statistical properties of random fields

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)

The 'Planktonian era' in the study of anisotropy and polarization of the CMB

Conclusion

References

Index

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