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CMB Lensing at Sub-Percent Precision: A New Probe of Cosmology and Fundamental Physics

Project description

High precision gravitational lensing maps to better probe the Universe

Maps of the gravitational lensing of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) allow astronomers to directly trace mass distribution across the Universe. Although recent measurements have established that CMB lensing signal is a powerful probe for cosmology, the potential of this method is not yet fully developed. The EU-funded CMBLENS project will analyse gravitational lensing CMB data derived from powerful ground-based experiments such as the Advanced ACTPol and the Simons Observatory. Using new analysis methods, scientists will reconstruct large-sky CMB lensing maps that are by an order of magnitude more precise than state-of-the-art measurements. Using the new high-fidelity lensing maps, CMBLENS will address key questions about the origin of the Universe, neutrino properties, nature of dark energy, and cosmic structure formation.

Objective

Maps of the gravitational lensing of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) directly trace the mass distribution across our universe. Though recent measurements have established the CMB lensing signal as a powerful probe of cosmology and fundamental physics, we are only beginning to exploit its scientific potential. My ERC-funded team will analyse lensing in CMB data from Advanced ACTPol and Simons Observatory, powerful ground-based experiments for which I am co-leading the lensing working groups. By developing and applying new analysis methods, my team will reconstruct large-sky CMB lensing maps that are an order of magnitude more precise than current state-of-the-art measurements.

With our high-fidelity lensing maps, we will address key questions about the origin of the universe, the properties of neutrinos, the nature of dark energy, and the formation of cosmic structure. We will determine or tightly bound the unknown neutrino mass by measuring the CMB lensing power spectrum to 0.6% precision, place stringent constraints on the time evolution of dark energy by combining CMB lensing maps with large-scale structure datasets, and enable powerful searches for primordial gravitational waves by removing the limiting lensing signal from the CMB polarization. To achieve these goals, my group will address the central challenges posed by the advance of lensing science to ultra-high precision, pioneering new approaches to lensing estimation, foreground mitigation, and CMB B-mode delensing.

Host institution

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Net EU contribution
€ 1 492 065,00
Address
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
€ 1 492 065,00

Beneficiaries (1)