SubsidieMeestersPOLarization Orientation CALibrator for Cosmology
The project aims to enhance CMB polarization measurements using aerial drones for calibration, improving accuracy in detecting gravitational waves and cosmic phenomena.
Projectdetails
Introduction
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.
Importance of the Method
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.
Project Overview
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.
Calibration Sources
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.
Orientation Registration
The orientation of the source polarization plane will be registered to absolute celestial coordinates by star cameras and ground photogrammetry with arcminute accuracy.
Project Location and Impact
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.
- Future projects will intercalibrate their detectors with the resulting calibrated observations of sky sources.
Expected Outcomes
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.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 2.418.281 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 2.418.281 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-1-2024 |
| Einddatum | 31-12-2028 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2024 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO-BICOCCApenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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The project aims to enhance observational cosmology by developing advanced models and algorithms to accurately measure cosmic microwave background polarization, focusing on primordial B-modes to revolutionize our understanding of the early Universe.
Towards constraining the pillars of our cosmological model using combined probes
The PiCo project aims to refine the ΛCDM cosmological model by employing advanced statistical methods to analyze galaxy clustering and CMB data, addressing primordial fluctuations and cosmic acceleration.
Transforming cryogenic optics for cosmic microwave background experiments
The CMBeam project aims to enhance cosmic microwave background experiments through advanced cryogenic holography and optical measurements, enabling breakthroughs in cosmology and particle physics.
Massively parallel joint end-to-end Bayesian analysis of past, present, and future CMB experiments
Develop a massively parallel framework for joint analysis of CMB data to enhance sensitivity, control systematics, and potentially detect primordial gravitational waves, transforming computational cosmology.
A Cosmological Lever Arm for Fundamental Physics
The project aims to enhance measurements of the Universe's expansion rate and density fluctuations using 3D correlations in the Lyman forest, potentially advancing our understanding of neutrino masses and inflationary models.