 QUaD is a bolometric array receiver that is being used to search for polarization in the CMB. The spatial distribution of polarization contains important information about cosmological parameters and about the origin of temperature anisotropies in the CMB. Although the signal is tiny (1-10% of the temperature fluctuations) the scientific rewards are large. A measurement of polarization has the potential to distinguish between inflationary models by measuring the amount of primordial gravitational waves that are a relic of the inflationary epoch.
QUaD Telescope is located at the US National Science Foundations's Amundensen Scott South Pole Station, and operates through three size month long Antarctic nights, where temperatures plunge to -100F (-70C).
The QUaD team at Chicago is led by Clem Pryke working with other KICP faculty, fellows and graduate students.
|
