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[42.01] Observing Strategies for B-mode Detection in CMB Polarization Experiments

E.F. Bunn (University of Richmond)

Detection and characterization of the B component of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization may provide a powerful cosmological probe in the future. In particular, an unambiguous signature of inflation may be present in the B modes on intermediate to large angular scales. For given amount of observing time and detector sensitivity, there is a tradeoff between observing a large area of sky and achieving high signal-to-noise per pixel. I present a solution to this optimization problem, taking into account leakage between the E and B components (i.e., the presence of ``ambiguous'' modes) and confusion due to the B-mode signal caused by gravitational lensing.

This work is supported by NSF grant AST-0233969.

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