Projektbeschreibung
Innovative Methode zur Messung der Polarisierung bei Weltraumbeobachtungen
Für Beobachtungen der kosmischen Hintergrundstrahlung auf der Suche nach primordialen B-Mode-Signalen sind unabhängige Versuchsmethoden erforderlich. Ohne diese Methoden kann der Winkel der Polarisationsebene der Photonen der kosmischen Hintergrundstrahlung nicht präzise gemessen werden. Finanziert über den Europäischen Forschungsrat wird im Projekt POLOCALC eine innovative Methode zur präzisen Messung dieses Winkels erarbeitet. Mit dieser Methode können künstliche Kalibrierungsquellen auf Flugdrohnen und Fesselballons im Sichtbereich der meisten fortschrittlichen Bodenteleskope zur Beobachtung der kosmischen Hintergrundstrahlung erheblich verbessert werden. An einem Standort in der Atacama-Wüste in Chile werden die ersten experimentell kalibrierten Daten des Polarisationswinkels der kosmischen Hintergrundstrahlungen und der Störungen erhoben.
Ziel
I will enable groundbreaking results for cosmology and fundamental physics, thanks to a novel method for measuring the angle of the polarization plane of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) photons with unprecedented accuracy. Existing and planned CMB polarimeters looking for primordial B-mode signals need an independent, experimental method for systematics control on the absolute polarization orientation. The lack of such a method limits the accuracy of the detection of inflationary gravitational waves, the efficiency in removing polarized foregrounds, the constraining power on the neutrino sector through measurements of gravitational lensing of the CMB, the possibility of detecting Cosmic Birefringence, and the ability to measure primordial magnetic fields.
My 5-year project will dramatically improve instrumental accuracy by means of artificial calibration sources flying on aerial drones and tethered balloons, within sight of the most advanced ground CMB telescopes, operating at high-elevation angles and far-field distances. The calibrators will make use of linearly-polarized microwave emitters optimally coupled to the Simons Observatory (SO) polarization-sensitive detectors, the world-leading CMB project for the next decade. The orientation of the source polarization plane will be registered to absolute celestial coordinates by star cameras and ground photogrammetry with arcminute accuracy. POLOCALC will take advantage of my leading role in SO, and will operate from its site in the Atacama Desert in Chile. This project will become a pivot for the field: any existing or future instrument in Atacama will be able to observe my novel polarization calibrator, and future projects will intercalibrate their detectors with the resulting calibrated observations of sky sources. POLOCALC will produce the first experimentally-calibrated data of the polarization angle of the CMB and its contaminants, allowing existing and future CMB polarimeters to fully mine the cosmic sky.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsneutrinos
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyobservational astronomygravitational waves
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsautonomous robotsdrones
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyphysical cosmology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons
Schlüsselbegriffe
Programm/Programme
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Thema/Themen
Finanzierungsplan
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsGastgebende Einrichtung
20126 MILANO
Italien