What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to interpret the COBE FIRAS cosmic microwave background spectrum and its implications for the early universe.

January 1, 1994

Interpretation of the COBE FIRAS CMBR spectrum

Key Points

This research aims to interpret the COBE FIRAS cosmic microwave background spectrum and its implications for the early universe.
Analyzed the cosmic microwave background spectrum measured by the FIRAS instrument on NASA's COBE.
Compared FIRAS data to previous measurements and model predictions.
Discussed limits on energy release for various processes occurring after the big bang.
FIRAS spectrum matches closely with a blackbody, constraining energy release after t = 1 yr.
Found confidence limits of |y| < 2.5 x 10^-5^ and |μ| < 3.3 x 10^-4^, impacting models of early universe processes.
Limits placed on models involving dust and Population III stars, showing significant implications for structure formation.

Abstract

The cosmic microwave background spectrum measured by the FIRAS instrument on NASA's COBE is indistinguishable from a blackbody, implying stringent limits on energy release in the early universe later than the time t = 1 yr after the big bang. We compare the FIRAS data to previous precise measurements of the cosmic microwave background spectrum and find a reasonable agreement. We discuss the implications of the |y| < 2. 5 x 10^-5^ and |μ| < 3. 3 x 10^-4^ 95% confidence limits found by Mather et al. (1994) on many processes occurring after t = 1 yr, such as explosive structure formation, reionization, and dissipation of small- scale density perturbations. We place limits on models with dust plus Population III stars, or evolving populations of IR galaxies, by directly comparing the Mather et al. spectrum to the model predictions.

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