General Physics Colloquium, Professor Jeff McMahon, University of Michigan

Refreshments from 3:30-3:50 pm

Title:  Mapping New Physics with the Cosmic Microwave Background

Host:  Mike Niemack

Abstract:  Measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) are a powerful tool for furthering our understanding of the origin, contents, and evolution of our Universe.  Upcoming measurements will improve our understanding of a number of important questions including the nature of inflation, dark energy, and  neutrino masses; and will enable searches for potential surprises including additional light relativistic species. In this talk I present the status and plans for measurements of the CMB using ongoing experiments (ACTPol and Advanced ACTPol), upcoming experiments (Simons Observatory), and a future experiment (CMB-S4).  I will describe the technological advances that underlie the rapid progress in CMB observations including: polarization sensitive detectors which simultaneously observe in multiple colors; metamaterial antireflection coated lenses and polarization modulators; and overall advances in experimental design.  I will conclude with forecasts for the science we expect from the CMB in the coming decade.