The Past and Future of CMB Observations
Speaker: Yuji Chinone (KEK/QUP)
Abstract:
The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation has been a cornerstone of modern cosmology. Over the past several decades, CMB observations have revolutionized our understanding of the universe, providing precise measurements of its age, composition, geometry, and evolution. Initial studies focused on temperature fluctuations, but more recently, measurements of linear polarization—particularly the curl-like B-mode pattern—have become central. These observations aim to uncover the smoking-gun evidence of primordial gravitational waves and probe physics beyond the Standard Model.
In this talk, I will begin with an overview of CMB observations and their applications in cosmology, highlighting key scientific milestones. I will then focus on the current and near-future landscape, with particular attention to experiments such as POLARBEAR and the Simons Observatory. I will discuss recent achievements and ongoing efforts to detect primordial B-mode polarization, constrain inflationary models, and explore new physics, including the search for axion-like particles.
Finally, I will outline the long-term vision for CMB research, including next-generation ground-based and space missions, and the role they will play in shaping the future of observational cosmology.