Edge detection, cosmic strings and the south pole telescope

2008/09/30 by Andrew Stewart, Andrew F. Stewart, Robert Brandenberger · 43 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Anisotropy #Artificial intelligence #Astronomy #Astrophysics #COSMIC cancer database #Cosmic background radiation #Cosmic microwave background #Cosmic string #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Geometry #Image (mathematics) #Noise (video) #Optics #Physics #Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology #Signature (topology) #South Pole Telescope #String (physics) #Telescope #Theoretical physics #astro-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2009/02/009

published in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics 2009(02), 009 (Institute of Physics) · 27 pages, 5 figures, reference and minor notes added, discussion of noise expanded, explanation of equation (4) expanded

arxiv created 2009/01/07 · openalex publication_date 2009/02/09 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

We develop a method of constraining the cosmic string tension G μ which uses the Canny edge detection algorithm as a means of searching CMB temperature maps for the signature of the Kaiser-Stebbins effect. We test the potential of this method using high resolution, simulated CMB temperature maps. By modeling the future output from the South Pole Telescope project (including anticipated instrumental noise), we find that cosmic strings with G μ > 5.5 × 10 −8 could be detected.

Citations

• Constraints on Topological Defects Energy Density from First-Year WMAP Results
• The Validity of the Cosmic String Pattern Search with the Cosmic Microwave Background
• Superstrings in the early universe
• Bounds on cosmic strings from WMAP and SDSS
• Observational constraints on cosmic string production during brane inflation
• Cosmic strings as the source of small-scale microwave background anisotropy
• First‐Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe ( WMAP ) Observations: Preliminary Maps and Basic Results
• A Computational Approach to Edge Detection
• Doppler Peaks from Active Perturbations
• FIVE-YEARWILKINSON MICROWAVE ANISOTROPY PROBEOBSERVATIONS: COSMOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION
• Gravitational field of vacuum domain walls and strings

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