COrE (Cosmic Origins Explorer) A White Paper (1102.2181v2)

Abstract: COrE (Cosmic Origins Explorer) is a fourth-generation full-sky, microwave-band satellite recently proposed to ESA within Cosmic Vision 2015-2025. COrE will provide maps of the microwave sky in polarization and temperature in 15 frequency bands, ranging from 45 GHz to 795 GHz, with an angular resolution ranging from 23 arcmin (45 GHz) and 1.3 arcmin (795 GHz) and sensitivities roughly 10 to 30 times better than PLANCK (depending on the frequency channel). The COrE mission will lead to breakthrough science in a wide range of areas, ranging from primordial cosmology to galactic and extragalactic science. COrE is designed to detect the primordial gravitational waves generated during the epoch of cosmic inflation at more than $3\sigma $ for $r=(T/S)>=10^{-3}$. It will also measure the CMB gravitational lensing deflection power spectrum to the cosmic variance limit on all linear scales, allowing us to probe absolute neutrino masses better than laboratory experiments and down to plausible values suggested by the neutrino oscillation data. COrE will also search for primordial non-Gaussianity with significant improvements over Planck in its ability to constrain the shape (and amplitude) of non-Gaussianity. In the areas of galactic and extragalactic science, in its highest frequency channels COrE will provide maps of the galactic polarized dust emission allowing us to map the galactic magnetic field in areas of diffuse emission not otherwise accessible to probe the initial conditions for star formation. COrE will also map the galactic synchrotron emission thirty times better than PLANCK. This White Paper reviews the COrE science program, our simulations on foreground subtraction, and the proposed instrumental configuration.

Overview of the COrE Project on Polarized Microwave Sky

The paper presents a comprehensive examination of the COrE (Cosmic Origins Explorer) project, focusing on the polarized microwave sky. The primary objective of COrE is to advance our understanding of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization, which has profound implications for cosmology, including insights into the early universe and the potential detection of primordial gravitational waves.

Science and Objectives

Central to the paper is the discussion of the scientific goals that COrE aims to achieve. The project seeks to explore the fundamental physics underpinning the universe's evolution by capturing and analyzing polarization in the microwave sky. One significant aspect is the investigation into primordial B-modes, which are signatures potentially indicative of inflationary gravitational waves.

The separation of the polarized microwave sky into its constituent components is another crucial theme. The paper details sophisticated methodologies proposed to isolate the cosmic signals from astrophysical foregrounds, which are pivotal for ensuring the purity of CMB data. These techniques are expected to refine the accuracy of measurements and enhance the reliability of scientific conclusions drawn from them.

Instrumentation and Requirements

The paper outlines the technical specifications and requirements for the proposed COrE instrument. The design of this instrument is aligned with the high precision needed for cosmological measurements. Its multi-frequency capabilities are tailored to dissect the polarized signals across various spectral bands, which is essential for foreground cleaning and accurate characterization of cosmic signals.

Stringent requirements for sensitivity, angular resolution, and control of systematic errors are emphasized. These parameters are critical to achieving the project's ambitious goals and enabling breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe’s fundamental properties.

Implications and Future Developments

This research holds significant implications for theoretical and practical advancements in cosmology. By providing insights into the polarization of the CMB, the COrE project has the potential to influence models of the early universe and contribute to the validation or refutation of inflationary theories. The detection of B-modes would be a milestone in confirming the existence of gravitational waves originating from inflation.

Looking forward, the methodologies and instruments developed here may serve as foundational elements for future observational missions in astrophysics and cosmology. Innovations in component separation techniques and sensitivity exercises might extend their utility beyond CMB studies, offering advancements in other areas of astronomy where similar observational challenges exist.

In conclusion, the paper delineates a rigorous scientific and technical agenda for the COrE project, targeting some of the most compelling questions in cosmology. The outcomes of this research have the potential to foster significant advancements in our understanding of cosmological phenomena, thereby guiding future explorations within the domain of AI applications in astrophysical studies.