Probing String-Theory-Inspired Topologies of the Early Universe through CMB Temperature and Polarization Anisotropies

TL;DR

This paper explores how the early Universe's topology, especially toroidal compactification, could leave detectable imprints on the CMB's temperature and polarization anisotropies, potentially revealing high-scale string theory effects.

Contribution

It reexamines CMB temperature and polarization correlations to identify signatures of nontrivial spatial topology, suggesting possible indications of extra dimensions in the early Universe.

Findings

Possible indication of spatial-parity breaking related to extra dimensions.

Impact of toroidal compactification on the primordial power spectrum analyzed.

Extension of framework to B-mode polarization for future observational tests.

Abstract

TeV string-mass-scale strings have been excluded experimentally at colliders, as their effects have not been observed at the Large Hadron Collider (CERN). On the other hand, higher-scale string theory, with mass scales typically close to the Planck scale, is often regarded as experimentally inaccessible due to the enormous energies required for direct tests, and far beyond the reach of present or foreseeable particle accelerators. Nevertheless, the early Universe may provide an indirect observational window for high-string scale through imprints left on the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). In this work, building on previous studies, we reexamine temperature and polarization angular correlations as probes of the geometry and topology of the pre-inflationary Universe. We focus in particular on two-point correlation functions at large angular scales, where signatures of nontrivial spatial topology may survive as relics of primordial physics. We investigate the observational consequences of toroidal compactification and analyze their impact on the primordial power spectrum of the CMB provided by the Planck satellite. Within the current experimental and theoretical uncertainties, we identify a possible indication closely related to spatial-parity breaking, consistent with the presence of six spatial extra dimensions in the early Universe, compactified at the GUT epoch before the start of inflation. Finally, we extend our framework to B-mode polarization, highlighting its potential as a sensitive probe in forthcoming ground-based and space-borne experiments with unprecedented precision.