Constraints on the Topology of the Universe from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe First-Year Sky Maps

We compute the covariance expected between the spherical harmonic coefficients a sub(lm) of the cosmic microwave temperature anisotropy if the universe had a compact topology. For a fundamental cell size smaller than the distance to the decoupling surface, off-diagonal components carry more informat...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Astrophysical journal 2006-07, Vol.645 (2), p.820-825
Main Authors: Phillips, N. G, Kogut, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We compute the covariance expected between the spherical harmonic coefficients a sub(lm) of the cosmic microwave temperature anisotropy if the universe had a compact topology. For a fundamental cell size smaller than the distance to the decoupling surface, off-diagonal components carry more information than the diagonal components (the power spectrum). We use a maximum likelihood analysis to compare the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) first-year data to models with a cubic topology. The data are compatible with finite flat topologies with fundamental domain L > 1.2 times the distance to the decoupling surface at a 95% confidence level. The WMAP data show reduced power at the quadrupole and octopole, but they do not show the correlations expected for a compact topology and are indistinguishable from infinite models.
ISSN:0004-637X
1538-4357
DOI:10.1086/432861