Constraints on neutrino mass from Cosmic Microwave Background and Large Scale Structure

TL;DR

Cosmological observations combining Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and Cosmic Microwave Background data are forecasted to significantly improve constraints on neutrino mass, potentially enabling a 5-sigma detection in the near future.

Contribution

This paper analyzes the physical effects of neutrino mass on cosmological observables and forecasts how upcoming experiments can improve neutrino mass constraints.

Findings

Forecasted $\sigma(M_ u) < 1/3$ of the lower limit from oscillations.

Detailed examination of neutrino mass effects on cosmological data.

Potential to achieve at least a 5-sigma detection of neutrino mass.

Abstract

Our tightest upper limit on the sum of neutrino mass eigenvalues $M_\nu$ comes from cosmological observations that will improve substantially in the near future, enabling a detection. The combination of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation feature measured from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and a Stage-IV Cosmic Microwave Background experiment has been forecasted to achieve $\sigma(M_\nu) < 1/3$ of the lower limit on $M_\nu$ from atmospheric and solar neutrino oscillations \citep{2013arXiv1309.5383A,2012PhRvD..86a3012F}. Here we examine in detail the physical effects of neutrino mass on cosmological observables that make these constraints possible. We also consider how these constraints would be improved to ensure at least a $5\sigma$ detection.