Astronomy
The Interpretation of the Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization
Quick fact
The CMB is polarized at the level of a few microkelvin, and its pattern splits into two types: E-modes, produced by density fluctuations, and B-modes, which can only be produced by gravitational waves or cosmic foregrounds—making B-modes a unique probe of inflation.
Why this is interesting
The faint afterglow of the Big Bang isn't just a glow—it carries a hidden pattern of polarized light. What secrets does this pattern reveal about the universe's first moments?