Implications of scattering for CMB foreground emission modelling

TL;DR

This paper assesses second-order scattering effects in Galactic foreground emission, finding they are generally negligible but could impact future high-precision CMB measurements, especially B-mode polarization detection.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed estimates of Thomson and Rayleigh scattering impacts on CMB foreground modeling using Milky Way data.

Findings

Scattering effects are small compared to direct emission.

Current observations are not significantly affected by these effects.

Thomson scattering-induced B-modes could be relevant for future experiments.

Abstract

Context. The extreme precision and accuracy of forthcoming observations of CMB temperature and polarization anisotropies, aiming to detect the tiny signatures of primordial gravitational waves or of light relic particles beyond the standard three light neutrinos, requires commensurate precision in the modelling of foreground Galactic emission that contaminates CMB observations. Aims. We evaluate the impact of second-order effects in Galactic foreground emission due to Thomson scattering off interstellar free electrons and to Rayleigh scattering off interstellar dust particles. Methods. We use existing sky survey data and models of the distribution of free electrons and dust within the Milky Way to estimate the amplitude and power spectra of the emission originating from radiation scattered either by free electrons or by dust grains at CMB frequencies. Results. Both processes generate corrections to the total emission that are small compared to direct emission, and are small enough not to pose problems for current-generation observations. Conclusions. However, B-modes generated by Thomson scattering of incoming radiation by interstellar free electrons at CMB frequencies are within an order of magnitude of the sensitivity of the most advanced forthcoming CMB telescopes, and might require more precise evaluation in the future.