S. Masi (Rome):

CMB Polarization: Status and Perspectives

Abstract:

A background of primordial gravitational waves is one of the predictions of the inflationary theory. The amplitude of these perturbations is so small that direct detection is unlikely. However, they should imprint a very characteristic rotational pattern in the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).

Most of the polarization of the CMB is irrotational, and other rotational components are due to gravitational lensing and to foregrounds.

In this talk we discuss the measurement of CMB polarization, and describe a sequence of experiments aimed to define with increasing accuracy its characteristics, hopefully ending with the detection of its rotational component.

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