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Constraining the epoch of recombination with recent observations of the cosmic microwave background

Linn, Angela M.

Abstract Details

2003, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Physics.
The radiation in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) last scattered off of matter during the epoch of recombination, when nuclei captured electrons for the first time, and its predicted anisotropy power spectra are sensitive to the details of recombination. In light of recent high quality observations of the CMB, it is worthwhile to re-examine the constraints that can be placed on recombination. We use a very general extension to the standard model of recombination characterized by two parameters, a and b, which multiply the overall rates of recombination and ionization and the binding energies of hydrogen respectively. We utilize WMAP temperature and TE cross-correlation data, along with temperature data at smaller scales from ACBAR and CBI, to place constraints on these parameters. The range of recombination histories which are the best match to the data fall within the range -0.4 ≤ log(a) ≤ 0.4 and 0.9 ≤ b ≤ 1.1, forming a diagonal region from low-a/high-b to high-a/low-b. We find zrec = 1055 ± 25 and Δz = 84 ± 2 at 68% confidence for the range of recombination models which are best able to reproduce the observed CMB power spectra. Standard recombination is an entirely acceptable fit to the data. We conclude that there is still leeway for non-standard recombination, but the window is narrowing.
Robert Scherrer (Advisor)
110 p.

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Citations

  • Linn, A. M. (2003). Constraining the epoch of recombination with recent observations of the cosmic microwave background [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1062095232

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Linn, Angela. Constraining the epoch of recombination with recent observations of the cosmic microwave background. 2003. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1062095232.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Linn, Angela. "Constraining the epoch of recombination with recent observations of the cosmic microwave background." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1062095232

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)