Constraints on the Polarization of the Anomalous Microwave Emission in the Perseus Molecular Complex from Seven-year WMAP Data

López-Caraballo, C. H.; Rubiño-Martín, J. A.; Rebolo, R.; Génova-Santos, R.
Bibliographical reference

The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 729, Issue 1, article id. 25 (2011).

Advertised on:
3
2011
Number of authors
4
IAC number of authors
4
Citations
50
Refereed citations
45
Description
We have used the seven-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data in order to update the measurements of the intensity signal in the G159.6-18.5 region within the Perseus molecular complex and to set constraints on the polarization level of the anomalous microwave emission in the frequency range where this emission is dominant. At 23, 33, and 41 GHz, we obtain upper limits on the fractional linear polarization of 1.0%, 1.8%, and 2.7%, respectively (with a 95% confidence level). These measurements rule out a significant number of models based on magnetic dipole emission of grains that consist of a simple domain as responsible for the anomalous emission. When combining our results with the measurement obtained with the COSMOSOMAS experiment at 11 GHz, we find consistency with the predictions of the electric dipole and resonance relaxation theory at this frequency range.
Related projects
Full-sky map showing the spatial distribution of the primary anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background (generated 380,000 years after the Big Bang) derived from observations of the Planck satellite
Anisotropy of the Cosmic Microwave Background
The general goal of this project is to determine and characterize the spatial and spectral variations in the temperature and polarisation of the Cosmic Microwave Background in angular scales from several arcminutes to several degrees. The primordial matter density fluctuations which originated the structure in the matter distribution of the present
Rafael
Rebolo López