Non-linear Data Analysis on the Sphere

This workdeals with the search for signatures of non-Gaussianities in the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Probing Gaussianity in the CMB addresses one of the key questions in modern cosmology because it allows us to discriminate between different models of inflation, and thus concerns a fundamental part of the standard cosmological model. The basic goalhere is to adapt complementary methods stemming from the field of complexity science to CMB data analysis. Two key concepts, namely the method of surrogates and estimators for local scaling properties, are applied to CMB data analysis. All results show strong non-Gaussianities and pronounced asymmetries. The consistency of the full sky and cut sky results shows convincingly for the first time that the influence of the Galactic plane is not responsible for these deviations from Gaussianity and isotropy. The findings seriously call into question predictions of isotropic cosmologies based on the widely accepted single field slow roll inflation model.

Contenu

Theoretical Background of the CMB.- Methods for Testing the Non-Gaussianity of the CMB.- Observations of the CMB with the WMAP Satellite.- Scaling Indices Applied to the WMAP 5-Year Data.- Surrogates and Scaling Indices Applied to the WMAP 7-Year Data.- Extending the Analysis of the WMAP 7-Year Data.- Applying the Surrogate Approach to to Incomplete Skies.