Gaussianity test of Planck CMB polarization data using the statistics of unpolarized points

We present a detailed test for Gaussianity of Planck polarization data using statistics of unpolarized points on the sky, i.e. such points where the linear polarization vanishes. The algorithm we propose for finding such points is stable and guarantees their 100% detection. Our approach allows us to analyze the data for Gaussianity of the signal at different angular scales and detect areas on the polarization maps with a significant contribution from unremoved non-Gaussian foregrounds. We found very strong deviations from Gaussianity for E and B modes in the Planck cosmic microwave background data both over the entire sky and in some specific regions of the celestial sphere.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Published
2025-03-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.111.063536
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.46

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article

Gaussianity test of Planck CMB polarization data using the statistics of unpolarized points

D. Novikov, Kirill O. Parfenov
3 citations
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
3.46
article

Gaussianity test of Planck CMB polarization data using the statistics of unpolarized points

D. Novikov, Kirill O. Parfenov
article en
3 citations

Abstract

We present a detailed test for Gaussianity of Planck polarization data using statistics of unpolarized points on the sky, i.e. such points where the linear polarization vanishes. The algorithm we propose for finding such points is stable and guarantees their 100% detection. Our approach allows us to analyze the data for Gaussianity of the signal at different angular scales and detect areas on the polarization maps with a significant contribution from unremoved non-Gaussian foregrounds. We found very strong deviations from Gaussianity for E and B modes in the Planck cosmic microwave background data both over the entire sky and in some specific regions of the celestial sphere.

Physical review. D/Physical review. D.Vol. 111(6)
Astro Space Center (RU)
Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
3.46
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