Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Physics
First Advisor
Dr. Ted Bunn
Second Advisor
Dr. Arthur Kosowsky
Abstract
As shown by COBEDMR and then by the Wilkinson Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), there exists an anomaly in the correlation function of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation, namely that said correlation function is suppressed to zero on large angular scales. This observation conflicts with the prediction made by LambdaCDM, the standard model of cosmology, indicating either necessary changes to the standard model or that our universe is a rare fluke within LCDM such suppressions are seen in only about 0.3% of universes predicted by LCDM. To differentiate into which of these categories our universe falls, we have attempted to use a suppressed correlation function to generate a power spectrum. Once we are successful in generating this power spectrum, we will use the Cosmic Linear Anisotropy Solving System, or CLASS, to predict polarization and large-scale structure maps.
Recommended Citation
Herman, Ellis, "An examination of the CMB large-angle suppression" (2016). Honors Theses. 939.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/939