"Searches for Mirror-Parity and Stringy Topologies in the CMB"

Large scale symmetries in the CMB, breaking statistical isotropy, can provide insight into pre-inflationary physics as well as the topology of the Universe. In this talk I will describe two searches for such isotropy-breaking evidence. One is the search for large scale mirror-parity. Evidence for odd parity has been previously claimed significant in data from both WMAP and Planck. I will revisit these claims with a careful analysis of the latest data available. The other search I will describe is for a non-trivial topology of the Universe. I will consider some non-classical topologies allowed in string theory, and describe their observational signatures as well as the searches for these signatures in the CMB data.

Additional details of the upcoming Astrophysics' seminars can be found at the following link - Astrophysics Seminars